In 15 Seconds
- A friendly way to tell someone to take their medication.
- Use 'le lo' for friends and 'le lijiye' for elders.
- Shows care and concern in everyday health situations.
Meaning
This is a simple way to tell someone to take their medication. It is a caring, direct command used when someone is feeling unwell.
Key Examples
3 of 6Seeing a friend with a headache
Tumhe sarr dard hai, dawa le lo.
You have a headache, take medicine.
Texting a sick colleague
Aaram karo aur dawa le lo.
Rest and take medicine.
A mother talking to her child
Chup-chap dawa le lo!
Quietly take the medicine!
Cultural Background
It is very common to say 'दवाई खा लो' (eat medicine) instead of 'take'. The usage is similar, but often influenced by local languages where 'drink' is used for medicine. Reminding someone to take medicine is a sign of respect and care for elders.
Use 'लीजिए'
Always use 'लीजिए' with elders to show respect.
Don't be bossy
Use a soft tone so it doesn't sound like a strict order.
In 15 Seconds
- A friendly way to tell someone to take their medication.
- Use 'le lo' for friends and 'le lijiye' for elders.
- Shows care and concern in everyday health situations.
What It Means
Dawa le lo is your go-to phrase for health care. Dawa means medicine. Le lo is the imperative form of 'to take'. It sounds like a gentle nudge from a friend. It is simple, direct, and very common. You are basically saying, "Hey, go ahead and take your meds."
How To Use It
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!
When To Use 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.
When NOT To Use It
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.
Cultural Background
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.
Common Variations
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.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral-informal. Use 'le lo' for friends/peers and 'le lijiye' for elders or formal situations. It's a very safe, high-frequency expression.
Use 'लीजिए'
Always use 'लीजिए' with elders to show respect.
Don't be bossy
Use a soft tone so it doesn't sound like a strict order.
It's caring
Hindi speakers use this to show they care about your health.
Examples
6Tumhe sarr dard hai, dawa le lo.
You have a headache, take medicine.
A very common way to show concern for a friend.
Aaram karo aur dawa le lo.
Rest and take medicine.
Short and supportive for a quick message.
Chup-chap dawa le lo!
Quietly take the medicine!
Adding 'chup-chap' makes it a firm parental command.
Pagal ho gaye ho? Dawa le lo!
Have you gone mad? Take your medicine!
A common sarcastic joke when someone says something ridiculous.
Roo mat, dawa le lo, theek ho jaoge.
Don't cry, take medicine, you will be fine.
Used to provide emotional reassurance along with a solution.
Aapki tabiyat theek nahi lag rahi, dawa le lijiye.
Your health doesn't seem right, please take medicine.
Uses the polite 'lijiye' for a formal setting.
Test Yourself
Which is the most natural way to tell a friend to take medicine?
Choose the best option:
'दवा ले लो' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Fill in the blank for a formal situation.
कृपया अपनी दवा __________।
'ले लीजिए' is the respectful form for formal settings.
Match the register to the phrase.
Match: 1. Formal, 2. Informal
Formal uses 'लीजिए', informal uses 'लो'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: मैं बीमार हूँ। B: ___________
The most appropriate response to being sick is taking medicine.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesChoose the best option:
'दवा ले लो' is the standard idiomatic expression.
कृपया अपनी दवा __________।
'ले लीजिए' is the respectful form for formal settings.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Formal uses 'लीजिए', informal uses 'लो'.
A: मैं बीमार हूँ। B: ___________
The most appropriate response to being sick is taking medicine.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, use 'दवा ले लीजिए' for a doctor.
Not if said with a kind tone.
Yes, it works for any health product.
'लेना' is the infinitive; 'ले लो' is the command.
Yes, it is widely understood.
You can say 'प्लीज, दवा ले लो'.
No, for injections, we use 'इंजैक्शन लगवाना'.
No, it is gender-neutral.
Related Phrases
दवाई खा लो
synonymEat the medicine
दवा का समय हो गया
similarIt's time for medicine
क्या तुमने दवा ली?
builds onDid you take the medicine?
