Signification
Consuming prescribed medication.
Contexte culturel
Slovaks often use the term 'lieky' broadly to include vitamins and supplements when talking to a doctor, but distinguish them in a pharmacy. There is a social expectation to finish a full course of antibiotics ('dobrať antibiotiká'), and 'užívať' is used to emphasize the discipline required. The 'Lekáreň' (Pharmacy) is often a place of consultation. People will describe their 'užívanie' to the pharmacist to check for interactions with herbal teas. The phrase is often linked to the 'PN-ka' system. If you are 'užívať lieky', it is a valid reason to be excused from social or work obligations.
The 'Na' Rule
Always use 'na' for the purpose: lieky na hlavu (for head/headache), lieky na žalúdok (for stomach).
No 'Si' for Meds
Avoid 'užívať si' unless you are being sarcastic about how much you love your cough syrup.
Signification
Consuming prescribed medication.
The 'Na' Rule
Always use 'na' for the purpose: lieky na hlavu (for head/headache), lieky na žalúdok (for stomach).
No 'Si' for Meds
Avoid 'užívať si' unless you are being sarcastic about how much you love your cough syrup.
Perfective vs Imperfective
Use 'užiť' for the single act of swallowing the pill right now, and 'užívať' for the 10-day course.
Pharmacy Etiquette
In a Slovak pharmacy, it's polite to say 'užívať' when asking for instructions; it shows you respect the medical process.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'užívať'.
Môj otec každý deň ________ lieky na vysoký tlak.
'Môj otec' is 3rd person singular (he), so the correct ending is -a.
Which sentence is correct for a doctor's office?
How do you ask a patient if they take any medicine?
'Užívate' is the correct formal verb for taking medication.
Complete the dialogue between a pharmacist and a customer.
Lekárnik: 'Tento sirup musíte ________ trikrát denne po jedle.'
While 'piť' (drink) is possible for syrup, 'užívať' is the professional instruction for a regimen.
Match the phrase to the context.
Context: You forgot your pill this morning.
The perfective 'užiť' is used for a specific, single instance of taking (or forgetting) a pill.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Užívať vs. Brať
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMôj otec každý deň ________ lieky na vysoký tlak.
'Môj otec' is 3rd person singular (he), so the correct ending is -a.
How do you ask a patient if they take any medicine?
'Užívate' is the correct formal verb for taking medication.
Lekárnik: 'Tento sirup musíte ________ trikrát denne po jedle.'
While 'piť' (drink) is possible for syrup, 'užívať' is the professional instruction for a regimen.
Context: You forgot your pill this morning.
The perfective 'užiť' is used for a specific, single instance of taking (or forgetting) a pill.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'brať lieky' is very common in casual speech. 'Užívať' is just more formal.
Use 'lieky' (plural) for a general routine or multiple pills. Use 'liek' (singular) for one specific medicine.
'Užiť' is a one-time action (I took the pill). 'Užívať' is a repeated action (I take pills every day).
Yes, it is very common to say 'užívať vitamíny'.
You can say 'Užívam lieky' or 'Som na liekoch' (informal).
No, it takes the direct object in the accusative case: 'užívať lieky'.
In a medical or police report, yes. In the street, people use 'brať'.
Užívať s jedlom.
You would use 'prehltnúť' (to swallow) rather than 'užívať'.
Usually no. For injections, we use 'dostávať injekcie' (to receive injections).
Expressions liées
predpísať lieky
builds onto prescribe medicine
vedľajšie účinky
similarside effects
dávkovanie
specialized formdosage
vysadiť lieky
contrastto stop taking medicine
voľnopredajné lieky
specialized formover-the-counter drugs
