दवा ले लो

Use this when you see someone coughing or sneezing. You can say it as a standalone sentence. You can also add a reason before it. For example, Sarr dard hai? Dawa le lo. (Have a headache? Take medicine). It is very flexible. You don't need complex grammar here. Just point to the pill and say it!

Use it with friends who look tired. Use it with family members who are stubborn about health. It works great in text messages too. If a colleague is struggling at their desk, whisper it. It shows you are paying attention. It is a small gesture of kindness. Plus, it makes you sound like a local caregiver.

Do not use this with your boss or elders. The lo ending is a bit too casual for them. For superiors, use Dawa le lijiye instead. Never use it if you aren't sure they are actually sick. Telling a healthy person to take medicine might sound like a weird insult. Also, avoid it in serious medical emergencies. In those cases, call a doctor immediately.

In India, everyone is a bit of a doctor. Friends and neighbors love giving health advice. It is a sign of 'Apnapan' or belongingness. If you don't tell a sick friend to take medicine, they might think you don't care. It is part of the social fabric of looking out for each other. Even a stranger might say it if they see you struggling.

If you want to be very polite, say Dawa le lijiye. If you are talking to a younger sibling, try Dawa le le. Sometimes people say Dawa kha lo (Eat medicine). This is very common because in Hindi, you 'eat' tablets. You can also say Dawa waqt par lo (Take medicine on time). This adds a bit of helpful discipline to your advice.