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prescripción

pres-kreep-SYON/pɾeskɾipˈsjon/

“prescripción” means “prescription” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

prescription

Also: directive
NounfB1
A white bottle of medicine and a stethoscope on a clean surface.

📝 In Action

El médico escribió una prescripción para el dolor.

A2

The doctor wrote a prescription for the pain.

Siga la prescripción de su doctor al pie de la letra.

B1

Follow your doctor's prescription exactly.

No se puede comprar este antibiótico sin prescripción médica.

B2

You cannot buy this antibiotic without a medical prescription.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • prescripción médica – medical prescription
  • bajo prescripción – under prescription

statute of limitations

Also: expiration
NounfC1formal
A heavy metal lock and chain wrapped around a closed wooden chest.

📝 In Action

La prescripción del delito ocurrió después de diez años.

C1

The statute of limitations for the crime occurred after ten years.

El abogado solicitó la prescripción de la deuda.

C1

The lawyer requested the expiration of the debt.

Debemos actuar antes de que llegue el plazo de prescripción.

B2

We must act before the expiration period arrives.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • caducidad (expiration)
  • vencimiento (due date/maturity)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • plazo de prescripción – limitation period
  • prescripción adquisitiva – obtaining property through long-term use

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "prescripción" in Spanish:

expiration→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: prescripción

Question 1 of 3

If a doctor tells you how to take your medicine, they are giving you a...

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
prescribir(to prescribe / to expire) — Verb
prescrito(prescribed / expired) — Adjective
prescriptible(subject to a time limit) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
descripcióninscripciónlección
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'praescriptio', which means 'to write before' or 'a prefix'. It originally referred to a heading or a rule written at the start of a document.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: prescriptionFrench: prescriptionPortuguese: prescrição

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'prescripción' the same as 'receta'?

Not exactly. 'Receta' is the common word for the piece of paper the doctor gives you. 'Prescripción' is the formal act of the doctor ordering the treatment.

Can 'prescripción' be used for food recipes?

No. For food, you must use 'receta'. Using 'prescripción' for cooking would sound like a medical order for your kitchen!

Does 'prescripción' always mean something is ending?

In legal contexts, yes, it usually means a right or crime has expired. In medical contexts, it's just an instruction to follow.