Inklingo

How to Say "prescription" in Spanish

English → Spanish

receta

/reh-SEH-tah//reˈθeta/

nounB1medical order
Use 'receta' when referring to a doctor's written order specifically for obtaining medication from a pharmacy.
A small, folded piece of paper resting on a white counter next to a brown bottle of pills and a traditional mortar and pestle, suggesting a pharmacy setting.

Examples

El doctor me dio una receta para antibióticos.

The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics.

Sin la receta, la farmacia no puede venderte esa medicina.

Without the prescription, the pharmacy cannot sell you that medicine.

Verbs for Prescriptions

Doctors 'dan' (give) or 'extienden' (issue) a prescription, and patients 'necesitan' (need) or 'piden' (ask for) one.

Confusing the two meanings

Mistake: “Using 'receta' in a medical context when you mean the action of prescribing: *El doctor recetó.* (The doctor prescribed).”

Correction: Use the noun 'receta' for the paper itself, and the verb 'recetar' for the doctor's action.

prescripción

nounB1medical order
Use 'prescripción' for a general medical order or recommendation given by a healthcare professional, which may or may not be for medication.

Examples

El médico escribió una prescripción para el dolor.

The doctor wrote a prescription for the pain.

indicación

nounB1medical orders
Use 'indicación' to mean instructions, directions, or guidance, often in a non-medical context, but it can also refer to a medical indication for treatment.

Examples

Sigue las indicaciones del mapa para llegar al hotel.

Follow the map's instructions to get to the hotel.

Receta vs. Prescripción

Learners often confuse 'receta' and 'prescripción'. Remember that 'receta' is almost exclusively used for a prescription to get medicine. 'Prescripción' is broader and can refer to any medical advice or order from a doctor, not just for medication.

Related Translations

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