Paracetamol

pa-ruh-SEE-tuh-mol /ˌpærəˈsiːtəmɒl/

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What it really means

The most common painkiller in the UK, sold cheaply in every supermarket and pharmacy. It's the same drug Americans call "acetaminophen" (Tylenol). Always follow the dose on the packet.

Chinese explanation

扑热息痛（对乙酰氨基酚）：英国最常见的止痛退烧药，超市和药店都有售且便宜。美国叫"acetaminophen"（泰诺）。务必按包装上的剂量服用。

Example conversation

A: I've got a headache — do you have any Tylenol? B: We call it paracetamol here. There's a packet in the kitchen.

A：我头疼——你有泰诺吗？ B：在英国这叫paracetamol，厨房里有一盒。

What you could say back

No spoken reply needed for this one.

Related phrases

Ibuprofen Over the counter Chemist

Official sources

Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.

Go deeper

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Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake