Module 6 of 12 · 药房中文 Pharmacy
副作用 Side Effects and Safety
Talk about side effects, allergies and interactions in Mandarin: what’s common, what to report, what’s an emergency, and what doesn’t mix.
By the end of this module you can…
- Explain a medicine’s common side effects, and how long they last.
- Take a clear allergy history: which medicine, and what happened.
- Spot interactions with other medicines, alcohol, food and supplements.
- Say which reactions need the doctor, which need the emergency room, and which need 911.
- Warn about drowsiness, driving, sun and pregnancy.
Key vocabulary
Fourteen words from this module. Tap the speaker to hear each one.
Side effects
- 副作用fù zuò yòngSide effect
- 头晕tóu yūnDizzy
- 恶心ě xinNausea, feeling sick
- 拉肚子lā dù ziDiarrhea
- 便秘biàn mìConstipation
- 犯困fàn kùnDrowsy, sleepy
- 口干kǒu gānDry mouth
- 干咳gān kéDry cough
Allergies & safety
- 过敏guò mǐnAllergy, allergic
- 皮疹pí zhěnRash
- 肿zhǒngSwelling, swollen
- 呼吸困难hū xī kùn nanTrouble breathing
- 相互作用xiāng hù zuò yòngInteraction
- 晒太阳shài tài yángSun exposure
Ten core phrases
The lines from this module’s take-home phrase sheet. In the course you can print them on one page for your pocket.
- 这个药常见的副作用是恶心，一般几天就好。Zhè ge yào cháng jiàn de fù zuò yòng shì ě xin, yì bān jǐ tiān jiù hǎo.The common side effect is nausea; it usually passes in days.
- 您对什么药过敏？吃了以后有什么反应？Nín duì shén me yào guò mǐn? Chī le yǐ hòu yǒu shén me fǎn yìng?Which medicines are you allergic to? What happened?
- 胃不舒服一般是副作用，不一定是过敏。Wèi bù shū fu yì bān shì fù zuò yòng, bù yí dìng shì guò mǐn.An upset stomach is usually a side effect, not an allergy.
- 您现在还吃别的药吗？包括中药和保健品。Nín xiàn zài hái chī bié de yào ma? Bāo kuò zhōng yào hé bǎo jiàn pǐn.Any other medicines, including herbs and supplements?
- 这个药会让人犯困，吃了以后不要开车。Zhè ge yào huì ràng rén fàn kùn, chī le yǐ hòu bú yào kāi chē.This makes you drowsy: don’t drive after taking it.
- 吃这个药，不要喝酒。Chī zhè ge yào, bú yào hē jiǔ.Don’t drink alcohol with this medicine.
- 如果一直干咳，要告诉医生。Rú guǒ yì zhí gān ké, yào gào su yī shēng.If a dry cough keeps going, tell your doctor.
- 嘴唇肿了，或者呼吸困难，马上打911。Zuǐ chún zhǒng le, huò zhě hū xī kùn nan, mǎ shàng dǎ jiǔ yāo yāo.Lips swelling or trouble breathing: call 911 now.
- 如果只是一般的不舒服，先别自己停药，打电话问我们。Rú guǒ zhǐ shì yì bān de bù shū fu, xiān bié zì jǐ tíng yào, dǎ diàn huà wèn wǒ men.Ordinary discomfort: don’t stop it yourself, call us first.
- 我们会记在您的资料里。Wǒ men huì jì zài nín de zī liào lǐ.We’ll record it in your profile.
What’s in Module 6
- Part 1 · Warm-UpWarm-Up: Medicines and You
- Part 2 · The Words for Side EffectsReading the PinyinSaying 不舒服 vs. Writing 不良反应Vocabulary · Flash CardsHow Serious Is It?
- Part 3 · Talking About Side EffectsThe Side Effect ScriptCommon, Passes, What HelpsKey PatternsTaking an Allergy HistoryInteractionsDriving, Sun and Pregnancy
- Part 4 · When It’s SeriousA Severe Allergic ReactionRecording and ReportingSide Effect or Emergency?
- Part 5 · Concerns & RecordsWhat Patients SayThat Long List in the LeafletWords for the Record
- Part 6 · Role-PlayRound 1 · Guided ConversationRound 2 · Controlled PracticeRounds 3, 4 & 5 · Independent
- Part 7 · Knowledge CheckModule 6 Knowledge Check
- Part 8 · Wrap-UpModule 6 HomeworkTake-Home Phrase SheetModule 6 Wrap-Up · 下次见
Practice it properly
The full module adds dialogues, role-plays, pronunciation drills and a Knowledge Check. Pass the check to earn a certificate of completion you can add to LinkedIn.