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pastilla

pas-TEE-yah/pasˈtiʝa/

“pastilla” means “pill” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

pill, tablet

Also: lozenge
NounfA1
A single round blue medicinal pill on a plain surface.

📝 In Action

Tengo que tomar una pastilla para el dolor de cabeza.

A1

I have to take a pill for my headache.

¿Cuántas pastillas te recetó el médico?

A2

How many pills did the doctor prescribe you?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • píldora (pill)
  • comprimido (compressed tablet)

Common Collocations

  • tomar una pastilla – to take a pill
  • pastilla para dormir – sleeping pill

Idioms & Expressions

  • dorar la pastilla – To sugarcoat something unpleasant; to make bad news sound better.

bar, block

Also: cake
NounfA2
A rectangular bar of pink soap with small bubbles.

📝 In Action

Compré una pastilla de jabón con olor a lavanda.

A2

I bought a bar of soap with a lavender scent.

Añade una pastilla de caldo a la sopa.

B1

Add a bouillon cube (stock block) to the soup.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • pastilla de jabón – bar of soap
  • pastilla de caldo – bouillon cube/stock cube

brake pad, pickup

NounfB2
A single automotive brake pad showing the friction material and metal backing.

📝 In Action

Tengo que cambiar las pastillas de freno del coche.

B2

I have to change the car's brake pads.

Esta guitarra tiene unas pastillas muy potentes.

C1

This guitar has some very powerful pickups.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • pastillas de freno – brake pads

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pastilla" in Spanish:

bar→block→brake pad→cake→lozenge→pickup→pill→tablet→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pastilla

Question 1 of 2

If you are in a pharmacy and ask for a 'pastilla', what are you likely looking for?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
pastillero(pillbox) — Noun
pasta(paste/dough) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Derived from the Spanish word 'pasta' (meaning paste or dough), with the ending '-illa' added to show it is a small version of something.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: pastilleEnglish: pastille

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pastilla' only for medicine?

No! While medicine is the most common use, it also describes bars of soap, bouillon cubes, and even technical parts like guitar pickups or brake pads.

Can I use 'pastilla' for a candy bar?

Not usually. For a candy bar, 'barra' or 'barrita' is better. 'Pastilla' is used for small, hard candies like lozenges or mints.