How to Say "Apothecary" in Portuguese

boticário

The English word apothecary is translated into Portuguese as boticário.

The term boticário is primarily used in historical, literary or period-piece contexts to describe the profession as it existed in the past.

Meaning: Pharmacist (noun)

Which one should you use?

While boticário refers to the historical/archaic profession of an apothecary, farmacêutico is the standard modern term for a pharmacist.

In Portugal, the term ervanária is used to refer to an alternative medicine store or herbal apothecary.

The noun is gendered, so use the feminine form boticária when referring to a female apothecary.

In Brazil, O Boticário is one of the most famous and widespread pharmacy-based cosmetic brands, keeping the archaic term alive in modern commercial life.
The word boticário is a linguistic 'doublet' of the word apotecário, meaning both words share the same ancient roots but arrived in Portuguese through different paths.
In historical Portuguese texts, the shop itself was often called a botica, which is where the term for the person, boticário, is derived.

Minha avó sempre comprava remédios na botica do bairro.
My grandmother used to buy medicines at the apothecary in the neighborhood.
É possível encontrar uma drogaria em quase todas as esquinas das grandes cidades no Brasil.
You can find a pharmacy on almost every corner of major cities in Brazil.
Preciso comprar alguns chás na ervanária para melhorar minha saúde.
I need to buy some teas at the herbal apothecary to improve my health.

Juliana and Felipe are discussing a historical reenactment in town.

Juliana

O Felipe viu o boticário na feira?
Did Felipe see the apothecary at the fair?
Felipe

Sim, eu vi o boticário hoje.
Yes, I saw the apothecary today.
Juliana

Ele vende ervas medicinais?
Does he sell medicinal herbs?
Felipe

Ele vende muitos produtos naturais.
He sells many natural products.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏