farmacia
/faɾˈmaθja/feminine
The Spanish word for pharmacy is farmacia. Wiktionary also lists botica.
Meaning: a place where prescription drugs are dispensed (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| farmacia | /faɾˈmaθja/ /faɾˈmasja/ |
feminine |
| botica | /boˈtika/ | feminine |
A farmacia is a place where prescription drugs are dispensed. If you need to talk about other related items, you might use medicamento for medicine, receta for a prescription or farmacéutico/a for a pharmacist.
Which one should you use?
farmacia is the standard modern term, while botica is an older, more traditional term similar to the English word apothecary.
Is it said differently in some regions?
While farmacia is used across all Spanish-speaking countries, some areas may use the term droguería to refer to a pharmacy. botica is considered an archaic form.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both farmacia and botica are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/faɾˈmaθja/
Did you know?
- The word receta, used for a prescription at a farmacia, literally means 'recipe'.
- The root of farmacia comes from the Ancient Greek word for 'the use of drugs', which originally carried connotations of both healing and magic.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, the farmacéutico is viewed as a primary healthcare consultant for minor ailments, often providing medical advice before a patient visits a doctor.
Examples in context
- ¿Hay una farmacia cerca?Is there a pharmacy nearby?This sentence is useful for asking if there is a farmacia nearby.Tatoeba #1542238 by marcelostockle, translation #1078081 by keira_n
- Trabajo en una farmacia.I work in a pharmacy.This sentence is useful for stating that you work in a farmacia.Tatoeba #1712360 by teskmon, translation #819846 by PaulLambeth
- ¿Dónde hay una farmacia cerca?Where is a nearby pharmacy?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of a nearby farmacia.Tatoeba #3276754 by cueyayotl, translation #1655533 by gleki
- Disculpe, ¿dónde está la farmacia más cercana?Excuse me, where is the nearest pharmacy?
- ¿Sabes dónde está la botica más cercana?Do you know where the nearest pharmacy is?
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are walking through the city center.
- JavierMaría, ¿buscas una farmacia?María, are you looking for a pharmacy?
- MaríaSí, necesito comprar medicina.Yes, I need to buy medicine.
- JavierEsa farmacia de la esquina es buena.That pharmacy on the corner is good.
- MaríaGracias, vamos hacia allá.Thanks, let's go over there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pharmacy” translations and entries farmacia, botica, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries botica, farmacia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
