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A small orange bottle of medicine sitting next to a spoon and a few colorful capsules on a clean surface.

medicamento

meh-dee-kah-MEN-toh

nounmA2
medication?a substance used for medical treatment,medicine?general term for health remedies
Also:drug?pharmaceutical substance

📝 In Action

Tengo que tomar mi medicamento cada ocho horas.

A1

I have to take my medication every eight hours.

El médico me recetó un medicamento para el dolor.

A2

The doctor prescribed me a medicine for the pain.

¿Este medicamento tiene efectos secundarios?

B1

Does this medication have side effects?

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • veneno (poison)
  • tóxico (toxic substance)

Common Collocations

  • tomar un medicamento – to take a medication
  • recetar un medicamento – to prescribe a medication
  • medicamento genérico – generic medication

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Ending in -o

Since it ends in -o, it is almost always masculine. You should use 'el' or 'un' with it (el medicamento).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'droga' instead

Mistake: "Using 'droga' to mean medicine."

Correction: In Spanish, 'droga' usually refers to illegal substances. Use 'medicamento' or 'medicina' for health related items.

⭐ Usage Tips

Medicamento vs. Medicina

While both mean 'medicine,' 'medicamento' specifically refers to the pill or liquid itself, while 'medicina' can also mean the science or study of health.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: medicamento

Question 1 of 2

How would you say 'I need to buy the medication' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

médico(doctor) - noun
medicina(medicine) - noun
medicar(to medicate) - verb
medicinal(medicinal) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'droga' instead of 'medicamento'?

It is better not to. In many Spanish-speaking countries, 'droga' implies illegal drugs or narcotics. 'Medicamento' is the safe, professional word for healthcare.

Is 'remedio' the same as 'medicamento'?

'Remedio' is more informal and can include home remedies like tea or soup, whereas 'medicamento' refers to pharmaceutical products.