WHEN TO USE
When to use this
Use this at a pharmacy in Japan when you need to tell the pharmacist about a known medicine or ingredient allergy before choosing an OTC medicine. State the allergy first, then show information they can verify.
CORE PHRASES
Core phrases
Tell them about the allergy
この薬にアレルギーがあります。
Kono kusuri ni arerugī ga arimasu.
I'm allergic to this medicine.Ask them to check an ingredient
この成分が入っているか確認してもらえますか？
Kono seibunga haitteiruka kakuninshitemoraemasu ka?
Could you check whether it contains this ingredient?Say what you need to avoid
この成分は避けたいです。
Kono seibun wa saketaidesu.
I'd like to avoid this ingredient.Describe a previous reaction
この薬でアレルギーが出たことがあります。
Kono kusuride arerugī ga detakotogārimasu.
I've had an allergic reaction to this medicine before.PHARMACIST MAY SAY
The pharmacist may say
PHARMACIST
何にアレルギーがありますか？
Nanini arerugī gārimasu ka?
What are you allergic to?PHARMACIST
薬の名前は分かりますか？
Kusurino namae wa wakarimasu ka?
Do you know the name of the medicine?YOU CAN ANSWER
You can answer
YOU
この薬です。
Kono kusuridesu.
It's this one. — while showing the medicine or a photoYOU
名前は分かりませんが、写真があります。
Namae wa wakarimasenga, shashingārimasu.
I don't know the name, but I have a photo.MINI CONVERSATION
Mini conversation
TRAVELER
この薬にアレルギーがあります。
Kono kusuri ni arerugī ga arimasu.
I'm allergic to this medicine.PHARMACIST
薬の名前は分かりますか？
Kusurino namae wa wakarimasu ka?
Do you know the name of the medicine?TRAVELER
名前は分かりませんが、写真があります。
Namae wa wakarimasenga, shashingārimasu.
I don't know the name, but I have a photo.PHARMACIST
確認します。
Kakuninshimasu.
I'll check.MORE NATURAL
Make it more natural
For an allergy, keep the first sentence short. Say アレルギーがあります first, then show the exact medicine name, ingredient, package, or photo so the pharmacist has something concrete to verify.
GOOD TO KNOW
Good to know
Japan's PMDA advises people with drug or food allergies to consult a pharmacist when choosing OTC medicines and to tell them about those allergies. This page is communication support, not medical advice.Official reference · PMDA · Precautions when using OTC medicines →
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