In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say you are taking any form of medicine.
- Uses the irregular verb 'nehmen' which changes vowels when conjugated.
- Appropriate for doctors, friends, family, and formal workplace conversations.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to say you are taking your pills or medicine. It covers everything from daily vitamins to serious prescriptions from your doctor.
Key Examples
3 of 6At the doctor's office
Ich nehme regelmäßig Medikamente gegen Bluthochdruck.
I regularly take medicine for high blood pressure.
Reminding a partner at home
Hast du heute schon deine Medikamente genommen?
Have you already taken your medicine today?
Explaining why you aren't drinking at a bar
Ich kann nichts trinken, weil ich Medikamente nehme.
I can't drink because I'm taking medicine.
Cultural Background
Germans have a high level of trust in pharmacies. You cannot buy medicine in supermarkets, which reinforces the seriousness of 'Medikamente nehmen'. Similar to Germany, but there is a strong tradition of 'Hausmittel' (home remedies) that people take alongside or instead of 'Medikamente'. The Swiss pharmaceutical industry is world-leading, and there is a very high standard for how 'Medikamente' are prescribed and taken. Expats in Germany often find the 'Apothekenpflicht' (pharmacy requirement) surprising, as they are used to buying 'Medikamente' more freely.
Plural is Key
Always use the plural 'Medikamente' unless you are talking about one specific pill. It sounds more natural.
No Eating/Drinking
Never say 'Medikamente essen'. It's the most common mistake for beginners and sounds very odd.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say you are taking any form of medicine.
- Uses the irregular verb 'nehmen' which changes vowels when conjugated.
- Appropriate for doctors, friends, family, and formal workplace conversations.
What It Means
Medikamente nehmen is your go-to phrase for any medical routine. It describes the act of consuming medicine. Whether it is a liquid syrup or a hard pill, this is the verb you need. It sounds natural and clear to any German speaker. It is not just about the physical act. It often implies a regular schedule or a doctor's order.
How To Use It
You need to conjugate the verb nehmen correctly. Remember, nehmen is an irregular verb. In the present tense, 'i' changes to 'i' or 'ie'. You say ich nehme but du nimmst and er nimmt. Place the word Medikamente right before the verb in simple sentences. If you use a helping verb like muss, the phrase splits. You would say Ich muss meine Medikamente nehmen. It is like a puzzle where the verb pieces move around.
When To Use It
Use this when talking to a doctor about your health. Use it at home when reminding a family member about their pills. It is perfect for explaining why you are not drinking alcohol at a party. You can also use it in a professional setting if you need a quick break. It is a very versatile and necessary part of daily life. Even texting a friend about a headache fits here perfectly.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use nehmen for everything you 'take' in English. In German, you do not 'take' a shower or 'take' a break with this verb. For a shower, you use duschen. For a break, you use machen. Also, do not use essen (eat) for medicine. Even if the pill is large, you still 'take' it. Avoid using it for illegal substances in polite company. There are much more 'slang' terms for those situations.
Cultural Background
Germany has a very specific pharmacy culture. You will see a big red 'A' for Apotheke on many streets. Germans often prefer herbal medicines alongside modern ones. They take their health routines very seriously and precisely. Being 'pünktlich' (punctual) with medicine is a common trait. You might find that people are quite open about what they take. It is seen as a practical part of maintaining your 'Gesundheit'.
Common Variations
You can be more specific by saying Tabletten nehmen for pills. If it is a liquid, you might say Tropfen nehmen. Some people use the slang Medis instead of the full word. In very informal settings, you might hear Pillen schlucken (swallowing pills). However, Medikamente nehmen remains the most polite and standard version. Stick with the classic until you feel very comfortable with the language.
Usage Notes
The phrase is perfectly neutral. Be careful with the conjugation of 'nehmen' in the 2nd and 3rd person singular.
Plural is Key
Always use the plural 'Medikamente' unless you are talking about one specific pill. It sounds more natural.
No Eating/Drinking
Never say 'Medikamente essen'. It's the most common mistake for beginners and sounds very odd.
Use 'Einnehmen' for Formal Situations
If you want to sound more professional or are writing an email to a doctor, use 'einnehmen' instead of 'nehmen'.
Examples
6Ich nehme regelmäßig Medikamente gegen Bluthochdruck.
I regularly take medicine for high blood pressure.
A standard professional way to report your medical history.
Hast du heute schon deine Medikamente genommen?
Have you already taken your medicine today?
Uses the past participle 'genommen' for a completed action.
Ich kann nichts trinken, weil ich Medikamente nehme.
I can't drink because I'm taking medicine.
A polite and unquestionable excuse in social situations.
Ich nehme jetzt meine Medis und gehe schlafen.
I'm taking my meds now and going to sleep.
Uses the shortened 'Medis' for a casual text vibe.
Mein Frühstück besteht mittlerweile nur noch aus Medikamenten.
My breakfast consists only of medicine these days.
A common self-deprecating joke among older generations.
Es ist wichtig, dass Opa seine Medikamente pünktlich nimmt.
It is important that Grandpa takes his medicine on time.
Shows concern and the importance of routine.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'nehmen'.
Ich ___ jeden Tag meine {die|f} Medikamente.
The subject is 'Ich', so the verb ending must be '-e'.
Which sentence is correct?
A: Ich esse meine {die|f} Medikamente. B: Ich trinke meine {die|f} Medikamente. C: Ich nehme meine {die|f} Medikamente.
In German, you always 'take' (nehmen) medicine, you don't eat or drink it.
Complete the dialogue.
Arzt: 'Nimmst du deine {die|f} Medikamente regelmäßig?' Patient: 'Ja, ich ___ ___ jeden Morgen.'
'Medikamente' is plural, so the pronoun must be 'sie'.
Match the instruction to the situation.
1. 'Vor dem Essen nehmen' 2. 'Mit viel Wasser nehmen' 3. 'Nicht mit Milch nehmen'
These are all typical instructions found on medicine packaging or given by pharmacists.
Match the German to the English.
{die|f} Medikamente nehmen / {die|f} Salbe auftragen / {der|m} Beipackzettel lesen
These are key collocations in a medical context.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Types of things you 'nehmen'
Medikamente
- • {die|f} Tabletten
- • {die|f} Pillen
- • {der|m} Hustensaft
Supplements
- • {die|f} Vitamine
- • {der|m} Tee
- • {das|n} Pulver
Practice Bank
5 exercisesIch ___ jeden Tag meine {die|f} Medikamente.
The subject is 'Ich', so the verb ending must be '-e'.
A: Ich esse meine {die|f} Medikamente. B: Ich trinke meine {die|f} Medikamente. C: Ich nehme meine {die|f} Medikamente.
In German, you always 'take' (nehmen) medicine, you don't eat or drink it.
Arzt: 'Nimmst du deine {die|f} Medikamente regelmäßig?' Patient: 'Ja, ich ___ ___ jeden Morgen.'
'Medikamente' is plural, so the pronoun must be 'sie'.
1. 'Vor dem Essen nehmen' 2. 'Mit viel Wasser nehmen' 3. 'Nicht mit Milch nehmen'
These are all typical instructions found on medicine packaging or given by pharmacists.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are key collocations in a medical context.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIt's understandable, but 'Medikamente' is much more common for the actual pills. 'Medizin' often refers to the study of medicine.
'Nehmen' is everyday language. 'Einnehmen' is formal and medical. Both are correct.
Usually, yes, when talking about medication in general. Use singular 'das Medikament' for one specific drug.
Yes! 'Ich nehme Vitamine' is perfectly correct.
You say 'Ich nehme Medikamente' or 'Ich bin auf Medikamente angewiesen'.
Related Phrases
Medikamente einnehmen
specialized formTo ingest medication (formal)
Tabletten schlucken
similarTo swallow tablets
Auf Medikamente angewiesen sein
builds onTo be dependent on medication
Medikamente absetzen
contrastTo stop taking medication
