die  Apotheke

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/apoˈteːkə/

⚕️ What is an Apotheke?

Die Apotheke (noun, feminine) refers to a shop where mainly Arzneimittel (medicines) and other health products are sold. In English, this is typically called a pharmacy or chemist's. Here you can get prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as expert advice from pharmacists (Apothekerinnen und Apotheker).

There is only one article for this word: die. It is always feminine.

• Example: Ich muss noch schnell zur Apotheke gehen, um mein Rezept einzulösen. (I quickly need to go to the pharmacy to fill my prescription.)

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Corner: Die Apotheke

The noun "Apotheke" is feminine. The article is always "die". Here is the declension:

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

Example Sentences for Grammar

• Nominative: Die Apotheke hat heute bis 18 Uhr geöffnet. (The pharmacy is open until 6 PM today.)
• Genitive: Der Eingang der Apotheke ist barrierefrei. (The entrance of the pharmacy is barrier-free.)
• Dative: Ich bin gerade in der Apotheke. (I am currently in the pharmacy.)
• Accusative: Findest du die Apotheke auf dem Stadtplan? (Can you find the pharmacy on the city map?)
• Plural: In dieser Stadt gibt es viele Apotheken. (There are many pharmacies in this city.)

💡 How to Use "Apotheke"

The word Apotheke is used in everyday language when talking about the place where you buy Medikamente (medicines) or seek pharmaceutical Beratung (advice).

• Typical situations: Filling a prescription (ein Rezept einlösen), buying headache pills (Kopfschmerztabletten kaufen), asking about side effects (sich zu Nebenwirkungen beraten lassen), looking for the emergency service pharmacy at night (Notdienst suchen).
• Context: Usually related to health (Gesundheit), illness (Krankheit), medicine (Medikamente), and medical care (ärztliche Versorgung).
• Distinction: A Drogerie (drugstore, e.g., dm, Rossmann) also sells some health products (like plasters or vitamins), but no prescription drugs and doesn't offer the expert pharmaceutical advice found in an Apotheke. The word Pharmazie refers more to the science of pharmaceutics.

Example: "Ich brauche dringend Hustensaft, ich gehe kurz zur Apotheke." ("I urgently need cough syrup, I'm quickly going to the pharmacy.")

🧠 Memory Aids for "Apotheke"

Remembering the article "die":

Many German nouns ending in -e, especially those with more than one syllable, are feminine ('die'). Think: die Apotheke. The final 'e' is a good clue! Also, imagine a helpful female pharmacist (Apothekerin - also feminine).

Remembering the meaning:

The word sounds a bit like the English word "apothecary". Or think of the Greek god of healing, Apollo: you get healing items at the Apollo-theke (Theke means counter).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Words

Synonyms (similar meaning):

• Pharmazie: (More technical term for the science, sometimes used for the shop itself, but less common in everyday speech)

Antonyms (opposite meaning):

Direct antonyms don't really exist. Contextually, you might think of words implying the opposite of health or care, but that's not very useful. The key is differentiation:

• Drogerie: Drugstore - sells toiletries, cosmetics, household items, but not prescription medicine.
• Arztpraxis: Doctor's office/practice - place for diagnosis and prescription, not primarily for selling medicine.
• Krankenhaus: Hospital - institution for treating serious illnesses, often has its own hospital pharmacy (Krankenhausapotheke), usually not open to the public.

⚠️ Potential for Confusion:

• Drogerie: As mentioned, different range of products and doesn't handle prescriptions.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum nehmen Skelette keine Medikamente aus der Apotheke? – Weil sie keine Nebenwirkungen vertragen – sie haben ja keinen Körper dafür! 😄

English: Why don't skeletons take medicine from the pharmacy? – Because they can't handle the side effects – they have no body for it! 😄

📜 Poem about the Apotheke

German:
Tut der Kopf weh, kratzt der Hals,
Führt der Weg dich ebenfalls
Zu dem Haus mit rotem A?
Die Apotheke, die ist da!

Pillen, Salben, guter Rat,
Hilft bei jeder Missetat,
Die der Körper uns so spielt,
Damit man schnell sich besser fühlt.

English Translation:
If your head hurts, throat feels raw,
Does your path then also draw
To the house with letter A in red?
The pharmacy is there instead!

Pills and ointments, good advice,
Helps with every bodily vice,
That our system throws our way,
So you feel better right away.

❓ A Little Riddle

German:
Ich habe Pillen, aber bin kein Arzt.
Ich habe Salben, aber bin kein Masseur.
Ich habe eine Theke, aber verkaufe kein Bier.
Man kommt mit Rezept oder auch ohne hier.

Was bin ich? ... Die Apotheke

English Translation:
I have pills, but I'm not a doctor.
I have ointments, but I'm not a masseur.
I have a counter, but I don't sell beer.
You come with a prescription or even without one here.

What am I? ... The Apotheke (Pharmacy)

🤓 Interesting Facts

• Etymology: The word "Apotheke" comes from the Greek word ἀποθήκη (apothḗkē), which originally meant "storage room" or "storehouse". In the Middle Ages, it evolved to mean the place where remedies were stored and sold.
• Symbol: The red, stylized "A" often incorporating a bowl/chalice and a snake (related to the Rod of Asclepius) is a widely recognized symbol for pharmacies in Germany.
• Emergency Service (Notdienst): Pharmacies in Germany have a mandatory rota for emergency services, ensuring that at least one pharmacy is open nearby during nights, Sundays, and public holidays. You can usually find the schedule (Notdienstplan) online or posted on the doors of local pharmacies.