medicina
/meh-dee-SEE-nah/
medicine
Medicina as a physical substance, like this liquid drug used to treat an illness.
medicina(noun)
medicine
?a substance or drug used to treat illness
,medication
?a specific drug or treatment
pill
?as in 'take your medicine'
,remedy
?a treatment for a minor ailment
📝 In Action
Necesitas tomar esta medicina dos veces al día.
A1You need to take this medicine twice a day.
¿Dónde puedo comprar la medicina para el dolor de cabeza?
A1Where can I buy the medicine for the headache?
Esta medicina tiene un sabor muy amargo.
A2This medication has a very bitter taste.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Alert
Remember that 'medicina' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' (la medicina) and feminine adjectives (medicina buena).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong synonym
Mistake: "Using 'doctor' instead of 'medicina' when referring to a drug. ('Necesito un doctor para la tos' instead of 'una medicina para la tos')"
Correction: Use 'medicamento' or 'medicina' for the substance, and 'médico' or 'doctor' for the person.
⭐ Usage Tips
Over the Counter
To ask for medicine you don't need a doctor's paper for, you can use the term 'medicina sin receta' (non-prescription medicine).
Medicina refers to the science and practice of healing, often symbolized by tools like a stethoscope.
medicina(noun)
medicine
?the science or practice of healing
medical studies
?the college degree or field of study
📝 In Action
Estudiar medicina es una carrera muy exigente.
A2Studying medicine is a very demanding career.
La medicina ha avanzado mucho en los últimos diez años.
B1Medical science has advanced greatly in the last ten years.
Él dejó la ingeniería para entrar en la facultad de medicina.
B1He quit engineering to enroll in the school of medicine.
💡 Grammar Points
Using the definite article
When talking about the field of study in general, Spanish usually uses 'la' before 'medicina' ('La medicina es importante').
⭐ Usage Tips
Referring to the professional
To talk about the person who practices medicine, use 'médico' (male doctor) or 'médica' (female doctor), not 'medicina'.
When used metaphorically, medicina can mean a remedy, or something that fixes a problem, even a non-physical one.
medicina(noun)
remedy
?something that cures or fixes a problem (often non-physical)
solution
?figurative cure for a social/emotional issue
,cure
?general term for healing
📝 In Action
Dicen que el tiempo es la mejor medicina para un corazón roto.
B1They say that time is the best medicine for a broken heart.
Para él, viajar es su medicina contra el estrés.
B2For him, traveling is his remedy against stress.
La abuela preparó una medicina casera con miel y limón para el resfriado.
B1Grandma prepared a homemade remedy with honey and lemon for the cold.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
This meaning is often used figuratively, linking something pleasurable or calming (like music or rest) to the idea of healing a mental or emotional ailment.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: medicina
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'medicina' to refer to the **profession or field of study**?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'medicina' and 'medicamento'?
'Medicina' is a bit broader. It can mean 'the drug' (like 'medicamento'), 'the field of study,' or 'the concept of healing.' 'Medicamento' specifically means the pharmaceutical product or drug that you take (like 'medication'). They are often interchangeable when talking about pills or liquid drugs.
Is 'medicina' used the same way as the English word 'medicine' when referring to a doctor?
No. In Spanish, you must use 'médico' (or 'doctor') for the person who practices medicine. You cannot say 'Voy a ver la medicina' (I'm going to see the medicine); you must say 'Voy a ver al médico/doctor.'