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How to Say "pills" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pastillas

/pah-STEE-yahs//pasˈtiʎas/

nounA1general
Use 'pastillas' when referring to general medication in pill form, such as over-the-counter remedies or prescription drugs for common ailments.
A small cluster of white and orange round medical pills resting on a surface.

Examples

Tengo que tomar dos pastillas después de cada comida.

I have to take two pills after every meal.

¿Dónde guardas las pastillas para el dolor de cabeza?

Where do you keep the headache tablets?

Always Plural in Context

Even if you are talking about medication in general, you usually use the plural 'pastillas' instead of the singular 'pastilla'.

Confusing 'Pastilla' and 'Píldora'

Mistake: “Using 'píldora' for general medication.”

Correction: While 'píldora' means 'pill,' 'pastilla' is far more common for all types of tablets and capsules. Save 'píldora' for contraceptive pills.

píldoras

nounA1general
Use 'píldoras' when referring to specific types of pills, particularly those for chronic conditions or when a slightly more formal term is desired, though it's often interchangeable with 'pastillas'.

Examples

Necesito ir a la farmacia a comprar mis píldoras para la presión.

I need to go to the pharmacy to buy my pills for my blood pressure.

General vs. Specific Use

Learners often wonder if there's a strict rule between 'pastillas' and 'píldoras'. In most everyday situations, 'pastillas' is the safer and more common choice. While 'píldoras' is also correct, overusing it might sound slightly less natural for routine medication.

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