pharmacie
/faʁ.ma.si/feminine
The English phrase 'pharmacy' is pharmacie in French. Wiktionary also lists officine.
Meaning: a place where prescription drugs are dispensed (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pharmacie | /faʁ.ma.si/ /fɔʁ.ma.si/ |
feminine |
| officine | /ɔ.fi.sin/ | feminine |
The word pharmacie refers to a place where prescription drugs are dispensed. It can describe the physical retail location or the academic field of study (Pharmacy).
Which one should you use?
While pharmacie is the common word for the establishment, officine is a more technical term used to refer specifically to the retail pharmacy shop or the act of dispensing.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because pharmacie is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine articles la or une when referring to it.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables: /faʁ.ma.si/.
Did you know?
- In France, you can identify a pharmacie from a distance by a glowing green neon cross, a visual signal that is a staple of the streetscape.
- In France, pharmacies are permitted to sell a wide range of dermocosmetics and high-end skincare brands that are often unavailable in general beauty stores.
- The term officine is a linguistic doublet of the word usine, meaning 'factory', because both originate from the Latin word for a workplace.
Examples in context
- Où est la pharmacie ?Where's the pharmacy?This sentence shows how to ask for the location of the pharmacie.Tatoeba #4099413 by GB3, translation #4099322 by CK
- Il étudiait la pharmacie.He was studying Pharmacy.This sentence uses pharmacie to refer to the field of study.Tatoeba #7499007 by Micsmithel, translation #11559686 by weirdie
- Je dois aller à la pharmacie.I have to go to the pharmacy.This sentence expresses the need to go to the pharmacie.Tatoeba #891597 by sacredceltic, translation #8953591 by Nylez
- Où est la pharmacie la plus proche?Where is the nearest pharmacy?
- Avez-vous [name of medication]?Do you have [name of medication]?
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are walking in the city looking for medicine.
- GabrielEst-ce qu'il y a une pharmacie près d'ici ?Is there a pharmacy near here?
- EmmaOui, la pharmacie est juste au coin de la rue.Yes, the pharmacy is just around the corner.
- GabrielC'est parfait pour Emma, elle a besoin de sirop.That is perfect for Emma, she needs some syrup.
- EmmaMerci Gabriel, tu m'aides beaucoup.Thank you Gabriel, you are helping me a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pharmacy” translations and entries pharmacie, officine, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries officine, pharmacie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
