薬を飲む
kusuri o nomuTo consume medication orally to treat an illness or alleviate symptoms.
風邪を引いたので薬を飲みました
I took medicine because I caught a cold.
医者に言われた通りに薬を飲んでください
Please take the medicine as the doctor instructed.
This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when referring to taking medication.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Common Mistakes
Avoid using '食べる' (taberu, to eat) for taking medicine, as it is incorrect. Always use '飲む' (nomu, to drink) for oral medication.
⚡Gold Rule
Politeness
When speaking to a doctor or pharmacist, use polite forms like '飲みます' (nomimasu) to show respect.
📖Word Origin
The verb '飲む' (nomu) means 'to drink,' and '薬' (kusuri) means 'medicine.' The phrase literally means 'to drink medicine,' which is the standard way to describe taking oral medication in Japanese.
📝Usage Notes
This phrase is used for both prescription and over-the-counter medications. For injections or other forms of medication, different verbs like '注射する' (chūsha suru) are used.