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B1 verb 10 min read

prendre (un comprimé)

Examples Notes & Tips prendre (un comprimé) in 30 Seconds
Explanation prendre (un comprimé) in your Level:
At the A1 level, you learn that 'prendre' means 'to take'. You use it for simple things like taking a bus or taking a coffee. In a medical context, you learn to say 'Je prends un médicament' (I take a medicine). You focus on the present tense: 'Je prends', 'Tu prends', 'Il prend'. You might not know the word 'comprimé' yet, but you know 'médicament'. You learn that you take medicine when you are 'malade' (sick). The goal here is just to express a basic need or action. For example, 'Je suis malade, je prends un médicament'. You use simple sentences and common words. You don't worry about complex timing like 'à jeun' (on an empty stomach) yet. You just want to communicate the act of taking something to feel better. This is the foundation for all health-related talk in French.
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At the A2 level, you expand your vocabulary to include specific forms of medicine like 'un comprimé' (a tablet) or 'un cachet' (a pill). You begin to use frequency adverbs like 'souvent' (often) or 'chaque matin' (every morning). You also start using the passé composé to say 'J'ai pris mon comprimé' (I took my tablet). You can understand simple instructions from a pharmacist, such as 'Prenez un comprimé avec de l'eau'. You are capable of describing a simple routine. You might also learn 'avant' and 'après' to say when you take the pill in relation to meals. The focus is on daily life and basic health management. You can ask someone 'As-tu pris ton médicament ?' and understand their answer. This level moves from general 'taking' to specific 'taking of a pill'.
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At the B1 level, which is where this word is categorized, you can handle more detailed medical conversations. You understand the nuances of 'prendre un comprimé' versus 'prendre une gélule'. You can discuss 'la posologie' (the dosage) and explain why you are taking the medication. You use the future tense to talk about a treatment plan: 'Je prendrai ce comprimé pendant dix jours'. You also use 'si' clauses: 'Si j'ai mal à la tête, je prendrai un comprimé'. You can navigate a pharmacy visit independently, asking about side effects or specific instructions like 'à jeun'. You understand that 'prendre' is the standard verb and avoid English-influenced mistakes like 'avoir un comprimé'. You are comfortable with the irregular plural forms of the verb 'prendre' (nous prenons, ils prennent) and can use them in conversation without much hesitation.
At the B2 level, you can understand complex medical advice and instructions on a 'notice' (leaflet). You can discuss the efficacy of a 'comprimé' and compare different treatments. You use the subjunctive mood to express necessity: 'Il faut que je prenne mon comprimé à heure fixe'. You understand more formal synonyms like 'ingérer' or 's'administrer', even if you don't use them daily. You can explain the 'parcours de soin' and how the act of 'prendre un comprimé' fits into a larger therapeutic context. You are aware of the cultural aspects of medication in France, such as the high consumption of certain types of pills. You can engage in a debate about over-medication or the use of generic drugs ('médicaments génériques'). Your use of 'prendre' is fluid and integrated into complex sentence structures involving relative pronouns and sophisticated connectors.
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At the C1 level, your command of 'prendre un comprimé' is near-native. You understand the subtle difference in register between 'comprimé', 'cachet', and 'gélule' and use them appropriately in different contexts. You can read technical medical journals or detailed patient reports that use 'prendre' in various tenses and moods. You might use idiomatic expressions related to health and medication. You can discuss the 'biodisponibilité' (bioavailability) of a 'comprimé' and how it is 'absorbé' by the body. You are capable of explaining the pharmacokinetics of a drug in French. You understand the nuances of medical ethics regarding 'la prise de médicaments'. In a professional setting, such as a hospital or laboratory, you use the term with precision, distinguishing between the patient's action and the drug's action.
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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery. You can use 'prendre un comprimé' in metaphorical or literary contexts if needed. You understand the historical evolution of the word 'comprimé' and its place in the French language. You can interpret high-level medical discourse, legal regulations regarding pharmaceuticals, and complex public health policies. You can speak or write about the sociological implications of 'la prise de comprimés' in modern society with nuance and depth. You can effortlessly switch between colloquial registers ('gober un cachet') and highly formal medical registers ('l'administration orale d'un comprimé'). Your understanding includes the technical aspects of pharmaceutical manufacturing and the linguistic precision required to describe them. You are essentially indistinguishable from a native speaker with a high level of education in this domain.
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Examples Notes & Tips

prendre (un comprimé) in 30 Seconds

  • The primary French expression for taking a pill or tablet, using the irregular verb 'prendre' followed by the specific noun 'comprimé' for solid medicine.
  • Essential for medical contexts, pharmacy visits, and daily health routines, distinguishing between tablets (comprimés), capsules (gélules), and informal pills (cachets).
  • Requires mastery of the irregular verb 'prendre' across all tenses, especially the past participle 'pris' and the plural present forms like 'prennent'.
  • Cultural nuance: French speakers use 'prendre' exclusively for medicine, avoiding 'manger' or 'avoir', which sound incorrect or comical in this context.

The French verb prendre is one of the most versatile pillars of the language, but when paired with the noun un comprimé (a tablet or pill), it takes on a specific medical and routine-based meaning. In this context, it translates precisely to 'to take' or 'to consume' medication in solid form. Unlike English, where we might say 'swallow a pill' or 'have some medicine,' French almost exclusively relies on prendre for the act of ingestion. This usage is essential for anyone navigating daily life in a French-speaking country, as it appears in every pharmacy interaction, doctor's consultation, and household health discussion. It covers the entire process: from removing the tablet from its blister pack to swallowing it with water.

Medical Context
This phrase is the standard way to describe following a pharmaceutical regimen. It is used by healthcare professionals to give instructions and by patients to describe their habits.
Daily Routine
It often appears in the context of morning or evening rituals, such as taking a vitamin or a daily prescribed treatment.

N'oubliez pas de prendre votre comprimé avant le petit-déjeuner pour une meilleure absorption.

Beyond the literal act, using prendre un comprimé implies a sense of responsibility and adherence to a schedule. In French culture, the 'parcours de soin' (healthcare path) is highly structured, and the vocabulary reflecting it is precise. While 'manger' (to eat) or 'avaler' (to swallow) are physically accurate, they are never used to describe the therapeutic act of taking medicine. Using prendre elevates the action from a mere physical movement to a medical necessity. You will see this on every 'ordonnance' (prescription) written by a French 'médecin généraliste'. It is a neutral, clear, and universally understood expression that spans all social classes and professional levels.

Il doit prendre deux comprimés d'aspirine car il a une forte migraine depuis ce matin.

Furthermore, the frequency is often attached to this verb. Phrases like 'à prendre trois fois par jour' (to be taken three times a day) are ubiquitous. The verb prendre maintains its irregular conjugation here, requiring learners to master its forms in the present, past (passé composé), and future. Because health is a primary concern in Francophone societies, mastering this specific collocation allows you to communicate effectively during emergencies or routine check-ups. It is not just about the pill; it is about the entire concept of 'se soigner' (taking care of oneself/treating oneself).

Using prendre (un comprimé) correctly involves understanding both the verb's conjugation and the prepositions that typically follow it to indicate time or manner. The most common structure is prendre + [quantity] + comprimé(s) + [timing/condition]. For example, 'Je prends un comprimé à jeun' means 'I take a tablet on an empty stomach.' The timing is crucial in medical contexts, and French uses specific phrases like 'au milieu du repas' (in the middle of the meal) or 'au coucher' (at bedtime) to specify when the action should occur.

With Modal Verbs
You will often find it following 'devoir' (must/have to) or 'pouvoir' (can). Example: 'Vous devez prendre ce comprimé avec un grand verre d'eau.'
In the Imperative
Doctors use the imperative to give orders: 'Prenez ce comprimé chaque soir sans faute.'

Est-ce que je peux prendre ce comprimé si je n'ai pas encore mangé ?

The verb prendre is irregular, so you must remember that the 'd' disappears in the plural forms: nous prenons, vous prenez, ils prennent. When discussing a past action, use the auxiliary 'avoir' with the past participle 'pris'. For instance, 'J'ai déjà pris mon comprimé' (I have already taken my pill). This is vital to avoid double-dosing. If you are asking someone else, you might say, 'As-tu pris ton comprimé ce matin ?' (Did you take your pill this morning?). The direct object 'le' or 'en' can also replace 'un comprimé' in conversation: 'Je dois en prendre un' (I have to take one).

Le pharmacien a recommandé de prendre le comprimé entier sans le croquer.

In more formal medical writing or instructions, you may encounter the passive voice or impersonal 'on' or 'il faut'. For example, 'Il faut prendre un comprimé toutes les huit heures' (One must take a tablet every eight hours). This impersonal construction is standard on medication packaging. Additionally, the verb can be modified by adverbs of frequency: 'régulièrement', 'quotidiennement', or 'immédiatement'. Understanding these nuances ensures that you not only speak French but speak it with the precision required for health safety.

The most common place to hear prendre un comprimé is within the walls of a 'pharmacie'. In France, pharmacies are ubiquitous, marked by their glowing green crosses. When you present a prescription, the pharmacist will explain the 'posologie' (dosage). They might say, 'Vous prendrez un comprimé matin et soir.' This use of the simple future is common for instructions. You will also hear it in hospitals, where a 'infirmier' (nurse) might enter a room and say, 'C'est l'heure de prendre vos comprimés.' In these settings, the tone is professional, direct, and clinical.

At the Pharmacy
'Voici votre boîte, vous devez prendre un comprimé par jour.' (Here is your box, you must take one tablet per day.)
Domestic Settings
Parents reminding children or spouses checking on each other: 'Tu n'as pas oublié de prendre ton comprimé ?'

À la pharmacie, on m'a dit de prendre ce comprimé uniquement en cas de douleur intense.

You will also encounter this phrase in media, particularly in health segments on news channels or in 'notices' (instruction leaflets) inside medication boxes. These leaflets are legally required to be precise. You'll read: 'Mode d'administration : prendre le comprimé par voie orale.' In movies or TV dramas, particularly medical procedurals like 'Hippocrate', the phrase is used to show patient care or self-medication. It is a part of the 'métro-boulot-dodo' (subway-work-sleep) routine for many who manage chronic conditions. Hearing it in a social context might involve someone excusing themselves: 'Attends une seconde, je dois prendre mon comprimé pour l'allergie.'

Le médecin m'a conseillé de prendre un comprimé de magnésium pour réduire mon stress.

Finally, the phrase is common in advertisements for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, though heavily regulated. You might hear a voiceover saying, 'Prendre un comprimé d'Efferalgan en cas de fièvre.' The auditory landscape of France is filled with these medical directives, making the phrase an essential part of the 'input' any learner will receive. It is a bridge between the clinical world of science and the everyday world of self-care.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is trying to translate 'to have a pill' or 'to eat a pill' literally into French. Saying 'avoir un comprimé' means you possess the pill in your hand or cabinet, but it does not mean you are ingesting it. Likewise, 'manger un comprimé' sounds bizarre and almost comical to a native speaker, as it suggests you are treating the medicine like a snack or a meal. Always stick to prendre. Another mistake involves the word 'pill' itself. While 'la pilule' exists in French, it refers almost exclusively to birth control. For any other type of medicine, you must use 'comprimé', 'gélule', or 'cachet'.

Verb Confusion
Using 'avaler' (to swallow) is technically correct but focuses only on the physical act. 'Prendre' is the correct functional verb for medication.
Article Errors
Forgetting the partitive or indefinite article. It's 'prendre un comprimé' (take a tablet) or 'prendre son comprimé' (take one's tablet), never just 'prendre comprimé'.

Faux : Je vais manger mon comprimé maintenant. (Incorrect usage of 'manger')

Conjugation errors with prendre are also common. Learners often forget the double 'n' in the third-person plural present tense: 'ils prennent'. They might also struggle with the past participle 'pris', mistakenly saying 'prendu' or 'prené'. Remember: 'J'ai pris'. Additionally, when using the phrase in a negative context, such as 'don't take the pill', the negation 'ne... pas' must wrap around the conjugated verb: 'Ne prenez pas ce comprimé'. If using the infinitive, it's 'Ne pas prendre ce comprimé'. Misplacing 'pas' is a hallmark of intermediate learners.

Correct : Il est important de ne pas prendre le comprimé avec de l'alcool.

Finally, watch out for 'cachet'. While 'cachet' is a common synonym for 'comprimé', it is slightly more informal or old-fashioned. Using 'comprimé' is always the safer, more professional bet in a medical context. Also, don't confuse 'prendre' with 'passer'. You don't 'passer' a pill unless you are literally handing it to someone else. If you are the one consuming it, 'prendre' is the only way to go. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your French sound more natural and authoritative, especially in sensitive health-related conversations.

While prendre un comprimé is the standard, French offers several variations depending on the form of the medicine. If the medication is a small gelatinous container filled with powder or liquid, the word is une gélule. If it is a soft, often oval-shaped pill, it might be une capsule. For a tablet that dissolves in water, the term is un comprimé effervescent. Understanding these distinctions is key to following medical advice correctly. The verb remains prendre for all of these, showing its dominance in the medical lexical field.

Prendre vs. Avaler
'Prendre' is the action of following a treatment; 'Avaler' is the physical act of swallowing. You 'avaler' a pill to 'prendre' your medicine.
Comprimé vs. Cachet
'Comprimé' is technical/pharmaceutical. 'Cachet' is everyday/colloquial. 'Prendre un cachet d'aspirine' is very common in casual speech.

Si vous avez du mal à prendre le comprimé, vous pouvez essayer une forme liquide.

Another alternative is ingérer (to ingest), but this is highly formal and usually reserved for scientific reports or forensic contexts. On the other hand, s'administrer (to administer to oneself) is used when referring to the method of delivery, such as 's'administrer un médicament par voie orale'. For those who take many pills, the term traitement (treatment) or médication (medication) is often used: 'Je prends mon traitement quotidien'. This shifts the focus from the individual pill to the overall health regimen.

Il est préférable de prendre une gélule si vous trouvez les comprimés trop amers.

Comparatively, 'absorber' is another synonym used in clinical descriptions regarding how the body takes in the substance. However, for the patient, the verb is always prendre. Even if the medicine is a powder to be mixed with water, you still 'prenez un sachet'. This linguistic consistency helps learners because once you master prendre, you can apply it to almost any form of oral medication. By comparing these terms, we see that prendre un comprimé is the 'gold standard' of medical French, balancing clarity, professionalism, and ease of use.

Fun Fact

The word 'comprimé' comes from the verb 'comprimer' (to compress), referring to the process of pressing medicinal powder into a solid shape. It first appeared in medical texts in the late 19th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pʁɑ̃dʁ œ̃ kɔ̃.pʁi.me/
US /pʁɑ̃ndʁə ʌn kɑm.pɹi.meɪ/
Stress falls on the final syllable of the phrase: com-pri-MÉ.
Rhymes With
animé estimé imprimé sublimé méconnu (partial) parfumé résumé allumé
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'd' in 'prendre' too heavily when followed by 'un'.
  • Nasalizing the 'om' in 'comprimé' incorrectly; it should be a closed nasal sound.
  • Forgetting to pronounce the 'r' in the middle of 'comprimé'.
  • Mispronouncing the final 'é' as an 'e' or 'eh' instead of a closed 'ay'.
  • Confusing the nasal 'un' with 'une'.
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Examples by Level

1

Je prends un comprimé.

I am taking a tablet.

Present tense of 'prendre' (1st person singular).

2

Tu prends ton médicament ?

Are you taking your medicine?

Interrogative form with 'tu'.

3

Il prend un comprimé le matin.

He takes a tablet in the morning.

Present tense (3rd person singular).

4

Elle ne prend pas de comprimé.

She does not take a tablet.

Negative structure 'ne... pas de'.

5

Nous prenons des vitamines.

We are taking vitamins.

Present tense (1st person plural).

6

Vous prenez un comprimé ?

Are you taking a tablet? (formal/plural)

Present tense (2nd person plural).

7

Elles prennent un comprimé par jour.

They take one tablet per day.

Present tense (3rd person plural).

8

Prends ton comprimé !

Take your tablet!

Imperative mood (tu form).

1

J'ai pris un comprimé hier soir.

I took a tablet last night.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

2

Il faut prendre le comprimé avec de l'eau.

It is necessary to take the tablet with water.

Impersonal 'il faut' + infinitive.

3

Elle prend son comprimé avant le repas.

She takes her tablet before the meal.

Preposition 'avant'.

4

Tu dois prendre deux comprimés.

You must take two tablets.

Modal verb 'devoir'.

5

Je n'aime pas prendre des comprimés.

I don't like taking tablets.

Verb of preference + infinitive.

6

Nous avons pris nos comprimés ce matin.

We took our tablets this morning.

Passé composé plural.

7

Prenez ce comprimé chaque jour.

Take this tablet every day.

Imperative (vous form).

8

Est-ce que je peux prendre un comprimé maintenant ?

Can I take a tablet now?

Modal verb 'pouvoir' in a question.

1

Le médecin m'a dit de prendre un comprimé à jeun.

The doctor told me to take a tablet on an empty stomach.

Infinitive after 'de'.

2

Si j'oublie de prendre mon comprimé, que dois-je faire ?

If I forget to take my tablet, what should I do?

Condition with 'si'.

3

Il est important de prendre le comprimé à heure fixe.

It is important to take the tablet at a fixed time.

Adjective + 'de' + infinitive.

4

Je prendrai un comprimé dès que j'arriverai à la maison.

I will take a tablet as soon as I get home.

Future tense.

5

Vous devriez prendre ce comprimé pour votre rhume.

You should take this tablet for your cold.

Conditional mood for advice.

6

Elle a oublié de prendre son comprimé d'aspirine.

She forgot to take her aspirin tablet.

Verb 'oublier' + 'de' + infinitive.

7

On m'a conseillé de prendre un comprimé de magnésium.

I was advised to take a magnesium tablet.

Passive-like construction with 'on'.

8

Puis-je prendre ce comprimé sans ordonnance ?

Can I take this tablet without a prescription?

Inversion in a question.

1

Bien qu'il n'aime pas ça, il doit prendre son comprimé.

Although he doesn't like it, he must take his tablet.

Conjunction 'bien que' + subjunctive.

2

Il est possible que vous deviez prendre un comprimé supplémentaire.

It is possible that you may have to take an extra tablet.

Subjunctive after 'il est possible que'.

3

En prenant ce comprimé, vous vous sentirez mieux rapidement.

By taking this tablet, you will feel better quickly.

Gérondif (en + participe présent).

4

Le pharmacien a insisté pour que je prenne le comprimé entier.

The pharmacist insisted that I take the tablet whole.

Subjunctive after 'insister pour que'.

5

C'est le troisième comprimé qu'il prend aujourd'hui.

It is the third tablet he is taking today.

Relative clause with 'que'.

6

Prendre un comprimé n'est pas toujours la solution.

Taking a tablet is not always the solution.

Infinitive as a subject.

7

Je regrette d'avoir pris ce comprimé sans manger.

I regret having taken this tablet without eating.

Past infinitive.

8

Il se demande s'il doit prendre un comprimé ou une gélule.

He wonders if he should take a tablet or a capsule.

Indirect question with 'si'.

1

Il est impératif que la prise du comprimé soit supervisée.

It is imperative that the taking of the tablet be supervised.

Subjunctive passive.

2

L'efficacité du traitement dépend de l'assiduité à prendre le comprimé.

The treatment's effectiveness depends on the diligence in taking the tablet.

Complex noun phrase.

3

Ayant pris son comprimé trop tard, il a eu du mal à dormir.

Having taken his tablet too late, he had trouble sleeping.

Present participle (composé).

4

On ne saurait trop recommander de prendre le comprimé avec prudence.

One cannot recommend enough taking the tablet with caution.

Formal 'on ne saurait' structure.

5

Le patient a nié avoir omis de prendre son comprimé quotidien.

The patient denied having failed to take his daily tablet.

Past infinitive after 'nier'.

6

Quoi qu'il en soit, il faut continuer à prendre le comprimé.

Regardless, the tablet must continue to be taken.

Concessive clause.

7

La difficulté réside dans le fait de prendre le comprimé sans liquide.

The difficulty lies in taking the tablet without liquid.

Noun phrase with 'le fait de'.

8

Il s'agit de prendre un comprimé pelliculé pour éviter l'amertume.

It involves taking a film-coated tablet to avoid bitterness.

Specific medical vocabulary 'pelliculé'.

1

L'observance thérapeutique passe par la régularité à prendre chaque comprimé.

Therapeutic compliance involves regularity in taking every tablet.

High-level medical terminology.

2

Nonobstant les effets secondaires, il est crucial de prendre le comprimé.

Notwithstanding the side effects, it is crucial to take the tablet.

Formal preposition 'nonobstant'.

3

Il convient de prendre le comprimé par voie sublinguale si nécessaire.

It is appropriate to take the tablet sublingually if necessary.

Formal 'il convient de'.

4

S'il venait à oublier de prendre son comprimé, les conséquences seraient graves.

Should he happen to forget to take his tablet, the consequences would be serious.

Hypothetical 'venir à' structure.

5

La posologie stipule de prendre le comprimé de manière concomitante au repas.

The dosage stipulates taking the tablet concomitantly with the meal.

Academic adverb 'concomitamment'.

6

Force est de constater que prendre ce comprimé a radicalement changé sa vie.

It must be noted that taking this tablet has radically changed his life.

Fixed formal expression 'Force est de constater'.

7

Le protocole exige de prendre le comprimé scrupuleusement à la même heure.

The protocol requires taking the tablet scrupulously at the same time.

Strong adverb 'scrupuleusement'.

8

On pourrait s'interroger sur la pertinence de prendre un tel comprimé.

One might question the relevance of taking such a tablet.

Conditional of 'pouvoir' + reflexive.

Common Collocations

prendre un comprimé à jeun
prendre un comprimé avec de l'eau
prendre un comprimé par jour
prendre un comprimé effervescent
prendre un comprimé entier
prendre un comprimé d'aspirine
prendre un comprimé avant le repas
prendre un comprimé au coucher
prendre un comprimé toutes les huit heures
prendre un comprimé pelliculé

Common Phrases

C'est l'heure de prendre ton comprimé.

— It is time for you to take your pill. Used as a reminder in households.

Maman dit que c'est l'heure de prendre ton comprimé.

N'oublie pas de prendre ton comprimé.

— Don't forget to take your pill. A very common daily reminder.

N'oublie pas de prendre ton comprimé avant de partir.

Je dois prendre un comprimé.

— I have to take a pill. Used to explain an action or a need.

J'ai mal aux dents, je dois prendre un comprimé.

Il a déjà pris son comprimé.

— He has already taken his pill. Used to track medication adherence.

Ne lui en redonnez pas, il a déjà pris son comprimé.

Comment prendre ce comprimé ?

— How should I take this pill? Asking for instructions.

Comment prendre ce comprimé ? Avec ou sans nourriture ?

Prendre un comprimé sans eau.

— To take a pill without water. Often discussed as a difficulty.

Il est difficile de prendre un comprimé sans eau.

Prendre un demi-comprimé.

— To take half a tablet. Refers to splitting dosages.

Le médecin a suggéré de prendre un demi-comprimé.

Prendre un comprimé en cas de besoin.

— To take a pill as needed. Refers to PRN (pro re nata) medication.

Vous pouvez prendre un comprimé en cas de besoin seulement.

Prendre un comprimé pour dormir.

— To take a sleeping pill. Specific common usage.

Elle doit parfois prendre un comprimé pour dormir.

Prendre un comprimé contre la douleur.

— To take a pill for pain. General usage for analgesics.

Prendre un comprimé contre la douleur aide beaucoup.

Idioms & Expressions

"Faire passer la pilule"

— To make something unpleasant easier to accept. While using 'pilule', it's related to the act of taking medicine.

Il a utilisé l'humour pour faire passer la pilule de la mauvaise nouvelle.

informal
"Doré la pilule"

— To sugarcoat something. Related to old practices of coating bitter pills in gold or sugar.

Le patron a essayé de nous dorer la pilule concernant les baisses de salaire.

informal
"Prendre pour argent comptant"

— To take something as gospel truth. Uses 'prendre' but in a different sense.

Il prend tout ce qu'elle dit pour argent comptant.

neutral
"Prendre son mal en patience"

— To bear one's troubles patiently. Related to health and 'prendre'.

Il n'y a pas de remède, il faut prendre son mal en patience.

neutral
"Une pilule amère"

— A bitter pill to swallow. A difficult reality to accept.

Sa défaite a été une pilule amère pour toute l'équipe.

neutral
"Prendre un coup de vieux"

— To age suddenly. Uses 'prendre' in a physical/health sense.

Il a pris un coup de vieux depuis son opération.

informal
"Prendre soin de soi"

— To take care of oneself. The general goal of taking medicine.

N'oubliez pas de prendre soin de vous.

neutral
"Prendre les devants"

— To take the lead or be proactive. Could be used regarding health.

Il a pris les devants en allant voir le médecin tôt.

neutral
"Prendre à cœur"

— To take something to heart. Emotional 'taking'.

Elle prend sa santé très à cœur.

neutral
"Prendre le taureau par les cornes"

— To take the bull by the horns. To deal with a problem directly.

Il a décidé de prendre le taureau par les cornes et de commencer son traitement.

neutral

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'PR' for 'Prendre' and 'Prescription'. You take what is prescribed. 'Comprimé' sounds like 'compressed'—medicine that is pressed together.

Visual Association

Imagine a hand grasping (prendre) a small, flat, white disc (comprimé) next to a blue glass of water.

Word Web

Santé Médecin Pharmacie Malade Eau Ordonnance Douleur Guérir

Challenge

Try to conjugate 'prendre' in the present, past, and future tenses while looking at a bottle of vitamins today.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'prehendere' meaning 'to seize' or 'to grasp'. Over time, it evolved in Old French to 'prendre', expanding its meaning to include consuming or taking in.

Original meaning: To physically grasp an object with the hands.

Romance (Latin-derived).

Cultural Context

Always be respectful when discussing someone's medication, as it may relate to chronic or sensitive conditions.

In the US or UK, 'taking a pill' is common, but 'taking a tablet' is more formal. In French, 'comprimé' is the standard formal and neutral term.

Molière's 'Le Malade imaginaire' (The Imaginary Invalid) deals with the obsession with taking medicines. The film 'Hippocrate' (2014) depicts the reality of French hospital life and medication. Public health campaigns in France often use the phrase 'Les antibiotiques, c'est pas automatique' to discourage unnecessary pill-taking.
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