En 15 secondes
- Used when a doctor writes a prescription for you.
- Combines 'to open' and 'medicine' into one verb.
- Common in both hospitals and casual health conversations.
Signification
This phrase literally means 'to open medicine.' It’s what you say when a doctor writes you a prescription or hands you a list of meds to take.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At the hospital talking to a doctor
医生，请帮我开点儿感冒药。
Doctor, please prescribe some cold medicine for me.
Texting a friend about why you are late
还在排队等医生开药，晚点到。
Still in line waiting for the doctor to prescribe meds, I'll be late.
Formal medical report or discussion
医生根据病人的情况开了药。
The doctor prescribed medicine based on the patient's condition.
Contexte culturel
In the Chinese medical system, the 'prescription' and 'dispensing' are often handled within the same hospital building. The phrase reflects the traditional importance of the doctor's written authorization as the 'key' to accessing treatment, a practice that dates back to when doctors would hand-write complex herbal formulas.
The 'Open' Logic
Think of `开` as 'issuing' a document. You also use `开` for writing invoices (`开发票`) or starting a car (`开车`).
Don't use it for buying!
If you are at a drugstore buying vitamins without a doctor, use `买药`. `开药` implies a professional wrote it down for you.
En 15 secondes
- Used when a doctor writes a prescription for you.
- Combines 'to open' and 'medicine' into one verb.
- Common in both hospitals and casual health conversations.
What It Means
开药 is a very common way to say 'prescribe medicine.' In Chinese, the verb 开 (kāi) means to open, but it also means to issue or write out a document. When you go to the doctor and they decide you need pills, they 'open' the prescription for you. It sounds a bit like they are unlocking the cure to your sniffles.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a verb-object construction. You can say a doctor 给我开药 (prescribed medicine for me). You can also add specific details between the words. For example, 开点儿药 means to prescribe 'a little bit' of medicine. It’s simple and direct. You don't need fancy medical jargon to sound natural here.
When To Use It
Use this anytime you are at a hospital or a clinic. If you feel like you need more than just rest, you might ask the doctor, 'Can you prescribe some medicine?' It’s also used when talking to friends about your health. If someone asks why you went to the hospital, you can say, 'I just went to get some meds prescribed.' It’s the standard term for this specific medical action.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use 开药 if you are just buying over-the-counter stuff at a pharmacy. If you are grabbing aspirin at a convenience store, you are 买药 (buying medicine), not 开药. Also, don't use it for traditional herbal soups you brew yourself at home. This phrase implies a professional authority—usually a doctor—is authorizing the treatment.
Cultural Background
In China, the process of 开药 is often the main reason people visit a doctor. While Western doctors might suggest 'rest and water,' many Chinese patients feel a visit isn't complete without a prescription. There is a deep trust in the tangible 'cure' that comes in a bottle or a packet. You'll often see long lines at the hospital pharmacy window right after the 开药 step.
Common Variations
You will often hear 开处方 (kāi chùfāng), which is the more formal way to say 'write a prescription.' If you want to be specific about the type of medicine, you can say 开中药 (prescribe Chinese medicine) or 开西药 (prescribe Western medicine). If the doctor gives you a lot, you might jokingly complain about the 一大堆药 (a big pile of meds) they prescribed.
Notes d'usage
This is a neutral, everyday phrase. It is safe to use with doctors, friends, and colleagues. Just remember it is a verb-object phrase, so you can stick words like `了` or `点儿` in the middle.
The 'Open' Logic
Think of `开` as 'issuing' a document. You also use `开` for writing invoices (`开发票`) or starting a car (`开车`).
Don't use it for buying!
If you are at a drugstore buying vitamins without a doctor, use `买药`. `开药` implies a professional wrote it down for you.
The IV Drip Culture
In China, if you say `开药`, the doctor might ask if you want 'pills' or 'a drip' (输液). Getting an IV is very common for simple colds!
Exemples
6医生，请帮我开点儿感冒药。
Doctor, please prescribe some cold medicine for me.
A standard, polite request during a consultation.
还在排队等医生开药，晚点到。
Still in line waiting for the doctor to prescribe meds, I'll be late.
Uses the phrase to explain a delay at the clinic.
医生根据病人的情况开了药。
The doctor prescribed medicine based on the patient's condition.
A neutral description of a medical action.
我就感冒了，他竟然给我开了十种药！
I just have a cold, and he actually prescribed ten types of medicine!
Expresses surprise at the quantity of medicine.
别怕，医生开完药我们就回家。
Don't be afraid, we'll go home after the doctor finishes prescribing the medicine.
Used to comfort someone by signaling the end of the visit.
医生给你开药了吗？
Did the doctor prescribe any medicine for you?
A caring question asked to a friend or family member.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct verb to complete the medical request.
医生，我不舒服，请给我___点儿药。
In Chinese, you 'open' (开) medicine when a doctor prescribes it.
Complete the sentence to say the doctor prescribed 'Western medicine'.
医生给我开了___。
西药 (Xīyào) means Western medicine, which fits the context of 'prescribing'.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Prescribing Medicine'
Talking to family about getting meds.
拿药 (Ná yào - Get meds)
Standard way to say prescribe.
开药 (Kāi yào)
Medical terminology for a prescription.
开处方 (Kāi chùfāng)
Where to use 开药
Public Hospital
Waiting for the doctor's slip.
Pharmacy Counter
Showing your prescription.
Phone Call
Telling boss you need a doctor's note.
Home
Discussing the doctor's orders.
Banque d exercices
2 exercices医生，我不舒服，请给我___点儿药。
In Chinese, you 'open' (开) medicine when a doctor prescribes it.
医生给我开了___。
西药 (Xīyào) means Western medicine, which fits the context of 'prescribing'.
🎉 Score : /2
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, you can. You just say 开中药 (kāi zhōngyào). It works for both Western and traditional treatments.
It is perfectly neutral. To be extra polite, add 请 (please) at the beginning, like 请帮我开药.
开药 is the act of the doctor prescribing it. 拿药 (ná yào) is the act of you physically picking it up from the pharmacy window.
No, that sounds unnatural. Even though the doctor is 'writing,' the correct verb is always 开.
It usually refers to the whole process of getting the prescription, but in casual speech, people use it to mean 'getting medicine from the doctor.'
You can put the medicine name in the middle: 开一点感冒药 (prescribe some cold medicine).
Yes, 开药 is standard across mainland China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking regions.
Generally no. In Chinese culture, only a doctor (医生) can 开药. A pharmacist just 给药 (gives medicine).
You would say 开同样的药 (prescribe the same medicine) or 续药 (xùyào) in more formal settings.
Yes! If you take your cat to the vet, you can still say 医生给猫开了药.
Expressions liées
看病 (To see a doctor)
处方 (Prescription)
吃药 (To take medicine)
打针 (To get an injection)
药方 (Medical recipe/formula)
