I'll need some written language after all.

[rowland]

It occurs to me that I want to buy some things when I get there, because it's not worth the hassle to bring them on the plane. I'd like to be able to look at something in the store and know what it is.

So... I need to learn the written Chinese for:

Insect repellent
NSAID pain reliever
Shampoo
Antiperspirant/deodorant (unscented, please)
Sunscreen

Can anybody help me out? Thanks.

[lostinasia]

It occurs to me that I want to buy some things when I get there, because it's not worth the hassle to bring them on the plane. I'd like to be able to look at something in the store and know what it is.

So... I need to learn the written Chinese for:

Insect repellent
NSAID pain reliever
Shampoo
Antiperspirant/deodorant (unscented, please)
Sunscreen

An indirect answer: Taiwan has many of the same brands as North America, so often you can find products without worrying too much about what the Chinese writing is.

Sunscreen is really pricy here, and often only available in tiny bottles: that's the kind of product it might be good to bring from home. Antiperspirant and deodorant are around, but with a very limited selection - again, bringing it from home might be a good idea, especially if you're particular about brand (I buy both sunscreen and deodorant on annual visits to Vancouver). And I have vague recollections of having trouble finding strong insect repellant - perhaps there are regulations against DEET here (or maybe I'm getting confused with Malaysia). But I haven't used insect repellant here in ages.

[StuartCa]

NSAID's are prescription only so you'll have to get a medical card and go to a doctor or a hospital. A cheap and painless experience and all can be done within a few hours. Just bring a few months supply with you

[Petrichor]

It's often clear from the English or even just pictures on the product what its use is. You can identify insect repellent from checking the ingredients for DEET. I think I saw some in Carrefour a while ago.

[Chris]

Definitely bring mega bottles of your preferred NSAID. You can get them here, but only in blister-packs of 10, and at a price 10 times per pill compared to what you're used to at home.

Antiperspirant deodorant: small bottles of Ban Rollon are available at Watson's. Big bottles from home are cheaper; you may prefer that.

Sunscreen is hard to find here (despite people's fear of tanning). Bring your favorite brands from home.

Shampoo: no problem. Chinese for shampoo is 洗髮精.

[Taffy]

nsect repellent杀虫剂
NSAID pain reliever非甾体抗炎药缓解疼痛

Shampoo洗发水
Antiperspirant/deodorant (unscented, please)止汗药防臭剂（无味的）
Sunscreen防晒霜


Hope these will help you.

Sorry, but vocabulary from China written in simplified Chinese, is not much help in Taiwan.

[E04teacherlin]

nsect repellent杀虫剂
NSAID pain reliever非甾体抗炎药缓解疼痛

Shampoo洗发水
Antiperspirant/deodorant (unscented, please)止汗药防臭剂（无味的）
Sunscreen防晒霜


Hope these will help you.

Sorry, but vocabulary from China written in simplified Chinese, is not much help in Taiwan.

Insect repellent杀虫剂 殺蟲劑
NSAID pain reliever非甾体抗炎药缓解疼痛 止痛藥

Shampoo洗发水 洗髮精
Antiperspirant/deodorant (unscented, please)止汗药防臭剂（无味的） 無味 止汗劑
Sunscreen防晒霜 防曬油

Reading the simplified is not that hard. Knowing what those mainlanders mean is the problem.
Hope this helps although I have to say I am not sure what NSAID means. I tried to use the words we would use if we walk into a shop here. Most of those things you can buy at Watson's. Hope you enjoy your stay in Taiwan and hope you realize not all Taiwanese are as bad as we are made out to be by many people here

[ironlady]

...hope you realize not all Taiwanese are as bad as we are made out to be by many people here

Rather uncalled for, as well as off-topic.