Italian · BeginnerCerco qualcosa per il mal di testaI'm looking for something for a headache

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00:00Intro
Hello everyone!
Welcome to our simple Italian podcast!
I am Giulia, and here with me is Marco.
Hi Giulia! Today we talk about a practical topic.
When we go to the pharmacy for medicine.
It happens while traveling, or after a long day.
A little tiredness, or a headache.
And we look for the bright green cross.
In Italy pharmacies are easy to find.
Pharmacists are always kind and helpful.
Today we learn six clear and useful phrases.
With these phrases we speak with confidence.
Let us start right away with the first phrase: Cerco qualcosa per il mal di testa.
This phrase explains our problem immediately.
The second phrase is very useful: Serve la ricetta medica?
It serves to know if we can buy right away.
The third phrase is practical: Ha una scatola piccola?
This way we only buy the necessary quantity.
The fourth phrase serves for instructions: Come si prende?
We ask how to use the medicine well.
The fifth phrase is about the price: Quanto costa in totale?
We ask for the final bill at the counter.
And the sixth phrase is: Posso pagare con la carta?
Perfect for paying comfortably at the counter.
This list is great for every situation.
And I have a story from yesterday to tell!
In Venice, right? I am curious!
Yes, it happened yesterday morning near the canal.
Tell us, we are listening to your story.
Yesterday morning I was in Venice for work.
A beautiful city for walking.
I read many documents on the computer.
And you forgot to take a break!
After two hours I had a mild headache.
I know you, you work too much without drinking water.
You are right, I was only thirsty and tired.
And what did you do then?
I went out for a short walk.
Fresh air always helps a lot.
I immediately saw the green cross of the pharmacy.
Was it near the canal?
Yes, right next to the stone bridge.
A typical and convenient location.
I entered the shop and said hello.
Was the shop quiet?
Very tidy, with light wood shelves.
And what did you say to start?
I said with a smile: Cerco qualcosa per il mal di testa.
Very clear and polite.
The pharmacist listened to me carefully.
Did he ask you any questions?
He asked if I had any other symptoms.
Normal to understand the situation.
I replied that I was just a little tired.
And what about documents or prescriptions?
I asked right away: Serve la ricetta medica?
Wise to ask before buying!
He said: No, it is over-the-counter.
Perfect, so no doctor is needed.
He took a package from the shelf.
And did you ask for the right size?
I asked: Ha una scatola piccola?
Right, for a few days a little is enough.
Exactly, I did not want extra medicine.
And for practical use?
I asked calmly: Come si prende?
And what did he explain to you?
He explained the package directions.
One must always follow the instructions.
Yes, and listen to the pharmacist's advice.
And then did you go to the cashier?
I asked for the bill: Quanto costa in totale?
How much did you spend in the end?
Only six euros in total.
A truly fair price.
I took out my card and asked: Posso pagare con la carta?
Do they have the card reader?
Yes, I paid right away with my phone.
Electronic payment is very convenient.
I went out into the piazza happy.
And did you drink some water after?
I drank two glasses of water at the cafe.
And did you take a peaceful break?
Yes, I rested for a moment.
A wonderful, simple, and peaceful experience!
Now let us look at all the phrases in detail.
Yes, let us move to our six phrases of today!
Let us start with our first phrase: Cerco qualcosa per il mal di testa.
We say it right away at the counter.
The verb cercare indicates what we want.
And qualcosa means a suitable remedy.
A headache is a common ailment.
We can add buongiorno before the phrase.
Buongiorno, cerco qualcosa per il mal di testa.
It sounds very natural and elegant.
Let us move now to the second phrase: Serve la ricetta medica?
An important question to understand the rules.
The verb servire means to be necessary.
A medical prescription is the doctor's note.
For over-the-counter medicines it is not needed.
But it is always helpful to ask for confirmation.
Asking politely removes every doubt.
We come to our third phrase: Ha una scatola piccola?
We use the formal courtesy form with avere.
We say Ha to speak with respect.
A small box indicates a smaller quantity.
If we are tourists, we do not want large boxes.
A small box is convenient.
We save space in our bag.
Let us look now at the fourth phrase: Come si prende?
This question serves for usage instructions.
The form si prende indicates the proper way.
We ask the pharmacist for clear directions.
The pharmacist explains the package rules.
And we read the written directions carefully.
Listening carefully is a good habit.
Let us move to the fifth phrase: Quanto costa in totale?
The classic question to find out the price.
In totale includes everything that we buy.
Even if we buy tissues or throat lozenges.
This way we know the exact amount to pay.
And we conclude with the sixth phrase: Posso pagare con la carta?
We say it when we are at the checkout.
The verb potere asks permission politely.
With the card indicates credit or debit card.
In Italy card payment is everywhere.
Even for small expenses of a few euros.
We have seen all six phrases!
Now let us do some practice together.
Yes, let us see how to use these phrases.
In Italy pharmacies have the green cross.
The green cross is bright and clearly visible.
When we enter we always say good morning.
Kindness always opens doors.
Do you prepare phrases before entering, Marco?
I confess that I repeat the words in my head!
I instead walk in and speak spontaneously.
Because you have a lot of confidence, Giulia!
But preparing phrases helps students a lot.
It helps to feel calm in front of the counter.
For mild pain a prescription is not needed.
We can ask for simple health advice.
For payment, do you prefer card or cash?
I almost always use my card on my phone.
For me cash is convenient for small expenses.
Here is a small difference between us!
In any case, our phrases work wonderfully.
Are we ready now for our quiz?
Certainly, let us prepare our short quiz!
Listen carefully to each situation and answer with us.
Let us see the six real situations right away!
Here is our quiz with six real-life situations.
Listen and try to answer before me!
Situation number one: you enter a pharmacy, and you have a headache. What do you say?
I say kindly and clearly: Cerco qualcosa per il mal di testa.
Perfect response, direct and very clear.
Situation number two: you want to know if the doctor's note is needed. What do you ask?
I ask right away: Serve la ricetta medica?
Great, so you know immediately if you can buy it.
Situation number three: you are traveling, and you need a small box. What do you ask?
I ask politely: Ha una scatola piccola?
Well done, the small box is ideal.
Situation number four: you have the box in hand, and you want the instructions. What do you ask?
I ask carefully: Come si prende?
Exactly, so you listen to the pharmacist's advice.
Situation number five: they prepare the bag, and you want to know the price. What do you ask?
I ask simply: Quanto costa in totale?
Five out of five! Now you know the exact amount.
Situation number six: you are at the checkout, and you want to use the card. What do you ask?
I ask with a smile: Posso pagare con la carta?
Six out of six! You completed the pharmacy visit.
This quiz was very fun and useful.
Now let us do a quick review of the phrases.
Let us do a quick review of our six phrases of today.
The first is: Cerco qualcosa per il mal di testa.
The second is: Serve la ricetta medica?
The third is: Ha una scatola piccola?
The fourth is: Come si prende?
The fifth is: Quanto costa in totale?
The sixth is: Posso pagare con la carta?
Six easy phrases for every need.
And here is today's challenge for you.
Imagine entering an Italian pharmacy.
You need a remedy: which phrase do you say out loud?
Repeat with us: Cerco qualcosa per il mal di testa!
Then ask about the prescription and the box.
And do not forget the usage instructions and price.
Just like I did yesterday in Venice.
Remember the greeting, the smile, and politeness.
A large glass of water and rest always help.
Taking a break from work is always good.
Very true, now I feel very rested.
Thank you so much for following this lesson.
Thank you everyone, and happy studying!
See you in the next episode of our podcast!
Goodbye everyone and see you soon!

Key phrases

6 to keep
Cerco qualcosa per il mal di testaI am looking for something for a headache
Iniziamo subito con la prima frase: Cerco qualcosa per il mal di testa.Let's start right away with the first phrase: Cerco qualcosa per il mal di testa.
Serve la ricetta medica?Is a medical prescription needed?
La seconda frase è molto utile: Serve la ricetta medica?The second phrase is very useful: Serve la ricetta medica?
Ha una scatola piccola?Do you have a small box?
La terza frase è pratica: Ha una scatola piccola?The third phrase is practical: Ha una scatola piccola?
Come si prende?How do you take it?
La quarta frase serve per le istruzioni: Come si prende?The fourth phrase is for instructions: Come si prende?
Quanto costa in totale?How much does it cost in total?
La quinta frase riguarda il prezzo: Quanto costa in totale?The fifth phrase is about the price: Quanto costa in totale?
Posso pagare con la carta?Can I pay with a card?
E la sesta frase è: Posso pagare con la carta?And the sixth phrase is: Posso pagare con la carta?

Tocca a te

Your turn
dillo ad alta voce
Today's small task

Immagina di entrare in una farmacia italiana: quale frase dici ad alta voce per chiedere un rimedio?Imagine walking into an Italian pharmacy: which phrase do you say out loud to ask for a remedy?

cocoaCerco qualcosa per il mal di testa
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