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दवाई लेना

A2 phrase 9 min read

दवाई लेना

davai lena

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips दवाई लेना in 30 Seconds

Explanation दवाई लेना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'dawaai' means medicine and 'lena' means to take. Focus on simple present tense: 'I take medicine' (Main dawaai leta hoon). Don't worry too much about the complex 'ne' rules yet. Just remember that if you want to tell someone to take medicine, you say 'Dawaai lo'. This level is about basic survival phrases like asking for medicine at a shop or telling someone you are sick. You should recognize the word when you see it on a shop sign (Medical Store) and be able to use it in a two-word sentence like 'Dawaai chahiye' (Need medicine).

At A2, you should start paying attention to the gender of 'dawaai'. Since it's feminine, you must use 'li' in the past tense. You will learn to use it with basic time markers like 'subah' (morning), 'raat' (night), and 'roz' (daily). You should also be able to understand simple instructions from a pharmacist, such as 'khana khane ke baad' (after eating food). This is the level where you move from just naming the object to describing a routine. You might also start hearing 'dawaai khaana' and should recognize it as a common alternative for 'taking' pills.

By B1, you should be comfortable with compound verbs like 'le lena' (to take completely) and modal verbs like 'chahiye' (should). You can explain why you are taking medicine and for how long. 'Mujhe das din tak dawaai leni padegi' (I will have to take medicine for ten days). You understand the difference between 'dawaai' and 'dawa' and can use the word in more complex sentence structures involving conjunctions. You are also expected to use the 'ne' postposition correctly in the past tense: 'Maine apni dawaai samay par li' (I took my medicine on time).

At the B2 level, you can handle more formal medical situations. You might use the word 'Aushadhi' in a discussion about Ayurveda or 'Upchaar' for treatment. You can understand the nuances of taking medicine 'empty stomach' (khaali pet) versus 'after meals'. You can participate in health-related discussions and give advice using the phrase. Your grammar should be near-perfect regarding the feminine agreement of 'dawaai'. You also start to understand idiomatic uses or cultural nuances, such as why someone might call a person's presence 'dawa' (a cure/remedy) metaphorically.

At C1, you are exploring the literary and technical sides of the language. You might read medical articles or listen to health podcasts where 'dawaai ka sewan' is used. You understand the historical etymology of 'dawa' from Persian and its integration into Hindi. You can discuss the ethics of 'dawaai lena' without a prescription or the socio-economic aspects of medicine in India. Your use of the phrase is natural, including all the subtle contractions and colloquialisms used by native speakers. You can differentiate between various registers of speech effortlessly.

At the C2 level, your mastery is absolute. you can appreciate the use of 'dawa' in classical poetry (Shayari) where it often represents a cure for the 'ailments of the heart'. You can navigate complex medical jargon and understand the legal implications of 'dawaai lena' in a pharmaceutical context. You can use the phrase metaphorically in high-level debates or creative writing. You are also aware of regional variations in how the phrase is used across the Hindi-speaking belt, from Bihar to Rajasthan, and can adjust your speech accordingly.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

दवाई लेना in 30 Seconds

Dawaai Lena means 'to take medicine' and is a feminine-gendered phrase in Hindi.
The verb 'lena' must agree with 'dawaai' (feminine), becoming 'li' in the past tense.
It is used in all health-related contexts, from casual home talk to formal hospital settings.
A common colloquial alternative is 'dawaai khaana', specifically for pills or tablets.

The Hindi phrase दवाई लेना (Dawaai Lena) is a fundamental expression used to describe the act of taking medicine. While it translates directly to 'to take medicine' in English, its usage in Hindi involves several grammatical nuances and cultural layers that are essential for a learner to master. In the Hindi heartland, health and wellness are often discussed openly, and asking someone if they have 'taken their medicine' is a common way of showing care and concern. The word दवाई (Dawaai) is a feminine noun, which is crucial because it dictates the conjugation of the verb लेना (Lena) in various tenses, particularly in the perfective aspect where the verb agrees with the object.

Literal Translation: To take (lena) medicine (dawaai).
Grammatical Gender: Dawaai is feminine; therefore, you say 'Dawaai li' (took medicine) instead of 'Dawaai liya'.
Common Contexts: Hospitals, pharmacies, home care, and doctor consultations.

क्या आपने अपनी दवाई ली? (Did you take your medicine?)

In a medical context, this phrase is used universally. Whether you are taking a pill, a syrup, or even an injection (though 'lagwana' is preferred for injections), 'dawaai lena' covers the general act of consuming a prescribed remedy. It is important to note that colloquially, many Indians also use the phrase दवाई खाना (Dawaai Khaana), which literally means 'to eat medicine'. While 'lena' is more formal and standard, 'khaana' is extremely common in daily speech, especially when referring to tablets or pills. For a learner, using 'lena' is always safe and grammatically precise. Understanding the distinction between these two can help you sound more like a native speaker depending on the formality of the situation.

समय पर दवाई लेना बहुत ज़रूरी है। (It is very important to take medicine on time.)

Furthermore, the phrase is often paired with adverbs of time. Phrases like 'khaane ke baad' (after eating) or 'khaane se pehle' (before eating) are almost always attached to 'dawaai lena' when instructions are given. In professional medical settings, a doctor might use the more formal 'sewan karna' (to consume), but in 99% of interactions at a 'chemist shop' (pharmacy) or with family, 'dawaai lena' is the go-to expression. It conveys a sense of responsibility and routine, often associated with the 'parhez' (dietary restrictions) that usually accompany a course of medication in Indian culture.

डॉक्टर ने दिन में तीन बार दवाई लेने को कहा है। (The doctor has asked to take the medicine three times a day.)

Using दवाई लेना correctly requires an understanding of Hindi's ergative structure in the past tense and simple subject-verb agreement in the present and future. Because 'lena' is a transitive verb, when you use it in the past tense (Perfective Aspect), the subject takes the postposition ने (ne), and the verb agrees with दवाई (dawaai), which is feminine. This is one of the most common stumbling blocks for English speakers who are used to the verb agreeing with the person doing the action.

Present Habitual: मैं रोज़ सुबह दवाई लेता हूँ। (I take medicine every morning - Male speaker).
Past Perfective: उसने दवाई ली। (He/She took the medicine).
Future: वह कल दवाई लेगा। (He will take medicine tomorrow).

आपको खाली पेट दवाई नहीं लेनी चाहिए। (You should not take medicine on an empty stomach.)

In the sentence above, 'leni chahiye' is used because the obligation (chahiye) also agrees with the feminine object 'dawaai'. This pattern of agreement is consistent across most modal structures in Hindi. If you are talking about multiple medicines, the plural form दवाइयाँ (dawaiyaan) is used, and the verb shifts to 'leen' (in past) or 'leni' (plural agreement). However, in common parlance, people often use the singular 'dawaai' to refer to the entire dose of medication they need to take at once.

क्या बच्चे ने दवाई ले ली? (Has the child taken the medicine?)

Notice the use of 'le li' in the example above. This is a compound verb construction where 'lena' is combined with the auxiliary 'lena' (in its 'li' form) to indicate completion. Compound verbs are a hallmark of natural-sounding Hindi. Using 'le li' suggests that the action is finished and done with. If you were asking if someone 'is taking' medicine (continuous), you would say 'dawaai le raha hai'. Mastery of these variations allows for subtle distinctions in meaning that are vital for clear communication in health-related situations.

मैं अपनी दवाई लेना भूल गया। (I forgot to take my medicine.)

The phrase दवाई लेना is ubiquitous in Indian daily life, reflecting the culture's deep concern for health and the widespread use of both modern and traditional medicine. You will hear this phrase most frequently in the following environments: pharmacies (often called 'Medical Stores' or 'Chemists'), clinics, hospitals, and within the family circle. In India, it is very common for neighbors or distant relatives to inquire about your health and ask specifically about your medication routine as a sign of affection.

At the Pharmacy: The pharmacist might say: 'यह दवाई खाने के बाद लेना' (Take this medicine after eating).
At the Doctor's Clinic: The doctor explains the 'parcha' (prescription): 'आपको यह दवाई पाँच दिन तक लेनी है' (You have to take this medicine for five days).
In Family Conversations: A mother to a child: 'चलो, जल्दी से दवाई लो' (Come on, take the medicine quickly).

भैया, बुखार की कोई दवाई दे दो, मुझे अभी लेनी है। (Brother, give me some medicine for fever, I need to take it now.)

In television dramas (serials) and movies, 'dawaai' is a recurring plot device, often associated with elderly characters or dramatic illness scenes. You might hear a character say, 'माँ की दवाई का समय हो गया है' (It's time for Mother's medicine). This highlights the role of the caregiver in Indian society, where taking medicine is often a supervised or communal concern rather than just an individual one. Public health announcements on radio or television also use this phrase frequently, especially during campaigns for polio drops or seasonal flu vaccinations, though 'boond' (drops) or 'tika' (vaccine) might be specified.

क्या आपने अपनी दवाई ली या मैं याद दिलाऊँ? (Did you take your medicine or should I remind you?)

Interestingly, in rural areas, you might hear 'dawa-daaru' used as a collective term for medical treatment. While 'daaru' usually means alcohol, in this specific archaic or colloquial compound, it refers to general remedies. However, for a student of Hindi, sticking to 'dawaai' or the slightly more formal 'dawa' is the best approach. Whether you are in a high-end hospital in Delhi or a small village clinic, 'dawaai lena' remains the most understood and respected way to describe this essential health action.

बिना डॉक्टर की सलाह के दवाई लेना खतरनाक हो सकता है। (Taking medicine without a doctor's advice can be dangerous.)

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using दवाई लेना is related to grammatical gender. In English, 'medicine' is neutral, but in Hindi, दवाई (Dawaai) is strictly feminine. This affects every adjective and verb associated with it. Learners often default to masculine endings because they are usually the 'standard' or 'neutral' forms in their minds, leading to sentences like 'Accha dawaai' instead of 'Acchi dawaai', or 'Dawaai liya' instead of 'Dawaai li'.

Mistake 1: Gender Mismatch: Incorrect: Maine dawaai liya. Correct: Maine dawaai li. (Reason: Dawaai is feminine).
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Lena' and 'Khana': While 'khaana' (to eat) is used colloquially for pills, using it for syrups or ointments is incorrect. 'Lena' (to take) is the universal verb.
Mistake 3: Forgetting 'Ne': Incorrect: Main dawaai li. Correct: Maine dawaai li. (In past tense, transitive verbs require 'ne').

❌ मैंने दवाई लिया। (I took medicine - Incorrect gender agreement)

Another nuance is the difference between 'dawaai dena' (to give medicine) and 'dawaai lena' (to take medicine). Beginners sometimes swap these two, which can lead to confusion in a pharmacy or doctor's office. If you say 'Mujhe dawaai leni hai', you mean you need to take medicine. If you say 'Mujhe dawaai deni hai', you mean you need to give it to someone else. Always be mindful of the direction of the action.

❌ वह दवाई खाया। (He ate medicine - Colloquial but grammatically risky for learners)

Lastly, learners often forget that 'dawaai' has a plural form, 'dawaiyaan'. If you are taking multiple types of medicine, using the plural is more accurate: 'Main dawaiyaan le raha hoon'. However, even in plural, the gender remains feminine, so the verb agreement stays consistent with the feminine plural rules (e.g., 'Maine dawaiyaan leen'). Avoiding these common pitfalls will significantly improve your fluency and make your interactions with Hindi speakers much smoother.

✅ मैंने दवाई ली। (I took medicine - Correct!)

While दवाई लेना is the most common phrase, Hindi offers several synonyms and related terms depending on the formality and the specific type of medicine being consumed. Understanding these alternatives will help you navigate different social and professional settings in India.

दवा (Dawa): A slightly more formal or poetic version of 'dawaai'. It is also feminine. Common in Urdu-influenced Hindi.
औषधि (Aushadhi): A high-register, Sanskrit-derived word. You'll see this on Ayurvedic medicine packaging or in formal health broadcasts.
गोली खाना (Goli Khaana): Specifically means 'to eat a pill'. Very common in casual conversation.

आयुर्वेदिक औषधि लेना स्वास्थ्य के लिए अच्छा है। (Taking Ayurvedic medicine is good for health.)

In a medical report or a formal doctor's prescription, you might encounter the word सेवन (Sewan), which means 'consumption'. So, 'dawaai ka sewan karna' is the formal way of saying 'to consume medicine'. This is similar to the English distinction between 'taking a pill' and 'ingesting medication'. If you are talking about a course of treatment, you might use इलाज (Ilaaj) or उपचार (Upchaar). For example, 'Mera ilaaj chal raha hai' means 'My treatment is ongoing'.

क्या आपने दवा ली? (Did you take the medicine? - Slightly more concise/formal than dawaai).

Another interesting word is नुस्खा (Nuskha), which refers to a 'remedy' or a 'prescription' (often a home remedy). People might say, 'Dadi ka nuskha' (Grandmother's remedy). While you 'take' (lena) the medicine, you 'follow' (apnaana) a nuskha. Learning these distinctions helps you understand the rich tapestry of health-related vocabulary in Hindi and allows you to choose the word that best fits the mood and context of your conversation.

डॉक्टर का नुस्खा दिखाओ। (Show the doctor's prescription.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In old Hindi, medicine was primarily referred to as 'Aushadhi'. The word 'Dawa' became popular during the Mughal era and eventually evolved into the common 'Dawaai' we use today.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /də.ʋaː.iː leː.naː/

US /də.wɑː.iː leɪ.nɑː/

Stress is balanced, but the long 'ee' in 'Dawaai' and the 'aa' in 'Lena' receive slightly more duration.

Rhymes With

Safaai (Cleanliness) Kamai (Earnings) Padhai (Studies) Ladayi (Fight) Bhalai (Goodness) Denā (To give) Senā (Army) Lenā (To take)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'd' as a hard English 'd' (retroflex) instead of dental.
Making the 'ee' in 'dawaai' too short.
Pronouncing 'lena' as 'leena' (long i sound).
Failing to distinguish between 'v' and 'b' (don't say 'dabaai').
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable of 'dawaai'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read, common characters.

Writing 3/5

The spelling of 'dawaiyaan' (plural) can be tricky with the 'ya' and nasalization.

Speaking 2/5

Simple to pronounce, but 'ne' rule is a hurdle.

Listening 2/5

Very common, easily recognizable in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

बीमार (Sick) पानी (Water) खाना (Food) लेना (To take) डॉक्टर (Doctor)

Learn Next

बुखार (Fever) दर्द (Pain) आराम (Rest) नुस्खा (Prescription) इलाज (Treatment)

Advanced

एंटीबायोटिक (Antibiotic) साइड इफेक्ट (Side effect) खुराक (Dosage) परहेज़ (Dietary restrictions) संक्रमण (Infection)

Grammar to Know

Ergative Construction with 'Ne'

Maine dawaai li (I took medicine).

Feminine Noun Agreement

Acchi dawaai (Good medicine).

Compound Verbs (Le Lena)

Usne dawaai le li (He finished taking the medicine).

Infinitive as Obligation

Mujhe dawaai leni hai (I have to take medicine).

Honorific Plural

Aap dawaai lijiye (Please take medicine - formal).

Examples by Level

दवाई लो।

Take (the) medicine.

Imperative form (informal/neutral).

मुझे दवाई चाहिए।

I need medicine.

Chahiye used for 'need'.

यह दवाई है।

This is medicine.

Simple demonstrative sentence.

मैं दवाई लेता हूँ।

I take medicine.

Present habitual (male).

माँ दवाई लेती हैं।

Mother takes medicine.

Honorific plural verb agreement.

दवाई कहाँ है?

Where is the medicine?

Interrogative sentence.

यह कड़वी दवाई है।

This is bitter medicine.

Adjective 'kadwi' agrees with feminine 'dawaai'.

दवाई मत लो।

Don't take medicine.

Negative imperative.

मैंने दवाई ली।

I took the medicine.

Past tense with 'ne' and feminine agreement 'li'.

क्या आपने दवाई ली?

Did you take the medicine?

Past tense interrogative.

वह रोज़ दवाई लेती है।

She takes medicine every day.

Present habitual (female).

दवाई खाने के बाद लेना।

Take the medicine after eating.

Postposition 'ke baad'.

मुझे गरम पानी के साथ दवाई लेनी है।

I have to take medicine with warm water.

Infinitive + hai for obligation.

बच्चे ने दवाई नहीं ली।

The child did not take the medicine.

Negative past tense.

यह दवाई बहुत महँगी है।

This medicine is very expensive.

Feminine adjective 'mahngi'.

कल दवाई लेना मत भूलना।

Don't forget to take the medicine tomorrow.

Future imperative/reminder.

अगर आप बीमार हैं, तो दवाई लेनी चाहिए।

If you are sick, then you should take medicine.

Conditional sentence with 'chahiye'.

डॉक्टर ने दिन में दो बार दवाई लेने को कहा।

The doctor said to take medicine twice a day.

Indirect speech.

मैंने अपनी सारी दवाइयाँ ले ली हैं।

I have taken all my medicines.

Present perfect with plural 'dawaiyaan'.

दवाई लेने से मुझे आराम मिला।

I got relief by taking medicine.

Gerundial use of 'lene'.

आपको यह दवाई खाली पेट लेनी होगी।

You will have to take this medicine on an empty stomach.

Future obligation 'hogi'.

क्या मैं यह दवाई दूध के साथ ले सकता हूँ?

Can I take this medicine with milk?

Modal 'sakta hoon' for permission.

उसने दवाई ली और सो गया।

He took the medicine and went to sleep.

Compound sentence with two actions.

बिना पूछे कोई भी दवाई लेना गलत है।

Taking any medicine without asking is wrong.

Using the phrase as a subject.

दवाई लेने के बावजूद उसका बुखार कम नहीं हुआ।

Despite taking medicine, his fever did not go down.

Use of 'ke baavajood' (despite).

मरीज़ को समय पर दवाई देना नर्स की ज़िम्मेदारी है।

It is the nurse's responsibility to give the patient medicine on time.

Infinitive phrase as a subject.

जैसे ही उसने दवाई ली, उसे चक्कर आने लगे।

As soon as he took the medicine, he started feeling dizzy.

Correlative 'jaise hi... waise hi'.

शायद उसने आज अपनी दवाई नहीं ली होगी।

Perhaps he might not have taken his medicine today.

Presumptive past tense.

दवाई लेने का सही तरीका डॉक्टर ही बता सकते हैं।

Only a doctor can tell the right way to take medicine.

Possessive 'ka' modifying 'tarika'.

वह कई सालों से ब्लड प्रेशर की दवाई ले रहा है।

He has been taking blood pressure medicine for many years.

Present perfect continuous.

दवाई लेने के बाद उसे थोड़ी सुस्ती महसूस हुई।

He felt a bit lethargic after taking the medicine.

Abstract noun 'susti'.

क्या आपने एक्सपायरी डेट देखकर दवाई ली?

Did you take the medicine after checking the expiry date?

Conjunctive participle 'dekhkar'.

नियमित रूप से दवाई लेना स्वास्थ्य लाभ के लिए अनिवार्य है।

Taking medicine regularly is mandatory for health benefits.

Formal vocabulary 'niyamit' and 'anivarya'.

दवाई लेने की प्रक्रिया में कोई लापरवाही नहीं होनी चाहिए।

There should be no negligence in the process of taking medicine.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

हालाँकि उसने दवाई ली थी, फिर भी उसकी हालत बिगड़ती गई।

Although he had taken medicine, his condition continued to worsen.

Contrastive conjunction 'halanki... phir bhi'.

दवाई लेने के साथ-साथ परहेज़ करना भी अत्यंत आवश्यक है।

Along with taking medicine, following dietary restrictions is also extremely necessary.

Compound phrase 'ke saath-saath'.

स्व-उपचार के तहत दवाई लेना कभी-कभी घातक सिद्ध हो सकता है।

Taking medicine under self-treatment can sometimes prove fatal.

High-register 'ghatak siddh hona'.

दवाई लेने के कुछ ही मिनटों बाद उसे एलर्जी की शिकायत हुई।

Just a few minutes after taking the medicine, he complained of an allergy.

Temporal phrase with 'ke kuch hi'.

चिकित्सक ने उसे कड़ाई से दवाई लेने का निर्देश दिया था।

The physician had strictly instructed him to take the medicine.

Formal word 'chikitsak' and 'nirdesh'.

दवाई लेने के प्रभाव का बारीकी से निरीक्षण किया जाना चाहिए।

The effects of taking the medicine should be closely monitored.

Passive voice 'kiya jaana chahiye'.

दवाई लेने मात्र से रोग का समूल नाश संभव नहीं है।

The total eradication of a disease is not possible just by taking medicine.

Use of 'matra' (only) and 'samool naash' (root destruction).

यदि रोगी ने समय रहते दवाई ली होती, तो स्थिति इतनी गंभीर न होती।

Had the patient taken the medicine in time, the situation would not have been so serious.

Past conditional (Subjunctive).

दवाई लेने के प्रति समाज में व्याप्त भ्रांतियों को दूर करना होगा।

The misconceptions prevalent in society regarding taking medicine must be removed.

Complex abstract sentence.

दवाई लेने की आवृत्ति और मात्रा का निर्धारण विशेषज्ञ द्वारा ही किया जाना चाहिए।

The determination of the frequency and dosage of taking medicine should only be done by an expert.

Technical vocabulary 'aavritti' and 'nirdharan'.

क्या दवाई लेना केवल एक शारीरिक क्रिया है या एक मानसिक विश्वास भी?

Is taking medicine merely a physical act or also a mental belief?

Philosophical inquiry.

दवाई लेने के उपरांत होने वाले सूक्ष्म परिवर्तनों का दस्तावेजीकरण आवश्यक है।

Documentation of the subtle changes occurring after taking medicine is necessary.

Formal 'uprant' instead of 'baad'.

दवाई लेने की विवशता कभी-कभी व्यक्ति को मानसिक रूप से कमज़ोर कर देती है।

The compulsion to take medicine sometimes makes a person mentally weak.

Psychological context.

दवाई लेने के वैज्ञानिक पहलुओं को समझना हर शिक्षित नागरिक का कर्तव्य है।

Understanding the scientific aspects of taking medicine is the duty of every educated citizen.

Civic/Formal register.

Common Collocations

समय पर दवाई लेना

खाली पेट दवाई लेना

खाने के बाद दवाई लेना

नियमित दवाई लेना

बुखार की दवाई लेना

ज़बरदस्ती दवाई लेना

गलत दवाई लेना

डॉक्टर की सलाह से दवाई लेना

भारी दवाई लेना

दवाई लेना शुरू करना

Common Phrases

दवाई का समय

— The specific time to take medicine.

दवाई का समय हो गया है।

दवाई की दुकान

— A pharmacy or chemist shop.

पास में कोई दवाई की दुकान है?

दवाई का असर

— The effect of the medicine.

दवाई का असर धीरे-धीरे हो रहा है।

दवाई का पर्चा

— A doctor's prescription.

दवाई का पर्चा कहाँ है?

दवाई की खुराक

— A dose of medicine.

एक खुराक अभी ले लो।

कड़वी दवाई

— Bitter medicine (often used metaphorically for harsh truths).

सच कड़वी दवाई की तरह होता है।

रामबाण दवाई

— A sure-fire cure or panacea.

यह नुस्खा हर बीमारी की रामबाण दवाई है।

दवाई पानी

— A casual way to refer to medical care.

उसका दवाई-पानी चल रहा है।

दवाई का कोर्स

— A full course of medication.

दवाई का कोर्स पूरा करना चाहिए।

देसी दवाई

— Traditional or herbal medicine.

वह देसी दवाई पर भरोसा करता है।

Often Confused With

दवाई लेना vs दवाई देना

To give medicine. Don't confuse the giver with the taker!

दवाई लेना vs दवाई डालना

Used for eye drops or ear drops, not for swallowing pills.

दवाई लेना vs दवाई लगाना

Used for applying ointments or creams on the skin.

Idioms & Expressions

"कड़वी घूँट पीना"

— To endure something unpleasant (similar to taking bitter medicine).

उसे अपमान की कड़वी घूँट पीनी पड़ी।

Metaphorical

"दुख की दवा"

— A cure for sorrow.

समय ही हर दुख की दवा है।

Poetic

"दवा लगना"

— For a medicine to be effective.

उसे अब दवा लग रही है।

Colloquial

"मर्ज़ की दवा"

— Solution to a problem.

तुम्हारी इस आदत की कोई दवा नहीं है।

Sarcastic

"ज़हर ही ज़हर को काटता है"

— Like cures like (sometimes used in medical contexts).

कभी-कभी ज़हर ही ज़हर की दवा होती है।

Proverb

"दवा-दारू करना"

— To arrange for medical treatment.

हमने उसकी बहुत दवा-दारू की।

Informal

"दुआ और दवा"

— Prayer and medicine (often said when someone is very ill).

अब उसे दुआ और दवा दोनों की ज़रूरत है।

Emotional

"दवाई के लाले पड़ना"

— To struggle to get even basic medicine.

गरीबों को दवाई के लाले पड़े हैं।

Social Commentary

"मौत की कोई दवा नहीं"

— There is no cure for death.

सब चीज़ों का इलाज है, पर मौत की कोई दवा नहीं।

Philosophical

"दवाई की तरह चाटना"

— To use something very sparingly or carefully.

वह पैसे को दवाई की तरह चाटता है।

Slang/Metaphorical

Easily Confused

दवाई लेना vs दवा (Dawa)

Looks like Dawaai.

Dawa is the shorter, more formal/Urdu version. Both are feminine.

उसकी दवा काम कर गई।

दवाई लेना vs दारू (Daaru)

Part of the phrase 'dawa-daaru'.

Daaru alone means alcohol. Only use it with 'dawa' for medical context.

शराब (daaru) सेहत के लिए बुरी है।

दवाई लेना vs दुआ (Dua)

Sounds similar to Dawa.

Dua means 'prayer'.

मेरी दुआ तुम्हारे साथ है।

दवाई लेना vs दावा (Daawa)

Sounds similar.

Daawa means 'claim' or 'lawsuit'. Masculine.

उसका दावा झूठा है।

दवाई लेना vs दाना (Daana)

Sounds slightly similar.

Daana means 'grain' or 'pimple'.

चिड़िया दाना चुग रही है।

Sentence Patterns

दवाई [Verb-Imperative]

दवाई लो।

[Subject] ने दवाई [Verb-Past]

मैंने दवाई ली।

[Subject] को दवाई लेनी [Modal]

मुझे दवाई लेनी चाहिए।

[Time] दवाई लेना

रोज़ दवाई लेना।

[Condition] के लिए दवाई लेना

बुखार के लिए दवाई लेना।

[Verb-Infinitive] के साथ दवाई लेना

खाने के साथ दवाई लेना।

[Adverb] दवाई लेना

नियमित रूप से दवाई लेना।

[Abstract Noun] के तहत दवाई लेना

चिकित्सकीय परामर्श के तहत दवाई लेना।

Word Family

Nouns

दवा (Dawa)

दवाइयाँ (Dawaiyaan - plural)

दवाखाना (Dawakhana - pharmacy)

दारू (Daaru - in specific compound 'dawa-daaru')

Verbs

लेना (Lena)

दिलाना (Dilana - to cause to take)

देना (Dena - to give)

Adjectives

दवाई संबंधी (Dawaai sambandhi - medicinal)

कड़वी (Kadwi - bitter)

मीठी (Meethi - sweet)

डॉक्टर (Doctor)

मरीज़ (Patient)

अस्पताल (Hospital)

बीमारी (Illness)

नुस्खा (Prescription)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and healthcare.

Common Mistakes

Maine dawaai liya. → Maine dawaai li.
Dawaai is feminine; the verb must agree with it in the past tense.
Main dawaai li. → Maine dawaai li.
Transitive verbs in the past tense require the 'ne' postposition with the subject.
Mujhe dawaai lena hai. → Mujhe dawaai leni hai.
The infinitive 'lena' changes to 'leni' to agree with the feminine 'dawaai'.
Dawaai peena (for pills). → Dawaai khaana / lena.
'Peena' is only for liquids. 'Lena' is safer for all types.
Bada dawaai. → Badi dawaai.
Adjectives must be feminine to match 'dawaai'.

Tips

Gender Agreement

Always treat 'dawaai' as a female. If you describe it, use 'ee' endings: 'Badi dawaai' (Big medicine), 'Kadwi dawaai' (Bitter medicine).

Asking about Health

Asking 'Kya aapne dawaai li?' is a polite and caring way to check on someone who is unwell in India.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'lena' in doctors' offices and 'khaana' when chatting with friends about taking a pill.

The Dental D

Ensure your 'd' in Dawaai is soft. If it sounds like the 'd' in 'Dog', it's too hard for Hindi.

Compound Verbs

Use 'le li' for 'already taken'. 'Maine dawaai le li hai' sounds very natural.

Expiry Dates

When buying medicine, ask 'Expiry date kya hai?' to ensure safety.

Root Words

Remembering 'Dawa' (medicine) and 'Khana' (place/room) gives you 'Dawakhana' (Pharmacy)!

The 'Li' Rule

Dawaai is a 'She', so she 'Li'. Simple rhyme to remember past tense agreement.

Caregiving

In India, taking medicine is often a family affair. Don't be surprised if multiple people remind you!

Plural Spelling

Watch the nasal dot (bindu) in 'dawaiyaan'. It's essential for correct spelling.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Dawaai' as 'The-Way-I' (The way I stay healthy). To take it, you 'Lena' (Lean) in to health.

Visual Association

Imagine a woman (feminine) taking a long 'ee' shaped spoon of medicine. The 'ee' at the end of Dawaai reminds you it's feminine.

Word Web

Medicine Pill Syrup Doctor Health Cure Pharmacy Take

Challenge

Try to say 'I took medicine' in Hindi three times fast, making sure to use 'li' and not 'liya'.

Word Origin

The word 'Dawaai' comes from 'Dawa', which is of Persian and Arabic origin. 'Lena' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Labhate' or 'Lati', meaning to take or receive.

Original meaning: In Arabic, 'Dawa' refers to a remedy or a spiritual cure as well as physical medicine.

Indo-Aryan (Hindi/Sanskrit) mixed with Perso-Arabic (Dawa).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'dawa-daaru'. In modern urban Hindi, 'daaru' almost exclusively means alcohol, so using the compound in a formal medical setting might be misunderstood or sound uneducated.

In English, we 'take' medicine. In Hindi, it's the same verb 'lena', which makes it easier for English speakers compared to languages that use 'eat' or 'drink'.

The song 'Dawa bhi kaam na aaye' from old Bollywood. Common dialogue in soaps: 'Kya Maa ne dawaai li?' Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor

मुझे कौन सी दवाई लेनी है?
कितने दिन तक दवाई लेनी है?
क्या इस दवाई के साइड इफेक्ट हैं?
क्या यह दवाई ज़रूरी है?

At the Pharmacy

यह दवाई दे दीजिए।
इसकी कीमत क्या है?
क्या इसकी कोई और कंपनी की दवाई है?
इसे कैसे लेना है?

At Home

दवाई का समय हो गया।
पानी के साथ दवाई लो।
क्या तुमने दवाई ली?
मेरी दवाई कहाँ रखी है?

Giving Advice

आपको आराम करना चाहिए और दवाई लेनी चाहिए।
बिना डॉक्टर के दवाई मत लो।
समय पर दवाई लेना ज़रूरी है।
ज़्यादा दवाई लेना अच्छा नहीं है।

Emergency

जल्दी से दवाई लाओ!
उसने बहुत सारी दवाइयाँ ले ली हैं!
क्या यहाँ कोई दवाई मिलेगी?
मुझे तुरंत दवाई की ज़रूरत है।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपने आज अपनी दवाई ली?"

"डॉक्टर ने आपको कौन सी दवाई लेने को कहा है?"

"क्या आपको दवाई लेने के बाद बेहतर महसूस हो रहा है?"

"क्या आप यह दवाई रोज़ लेते हैं?"

"दवाई लेने का सबसे अच्छा समय क्या है?"

Journal Prompts

आज मैंने अपनी दवाई समय पर ली और मुझे कैसा महसूस हुआ...

जब मैं छोटा था, तब दवाई लेना मुझे कैसा लगता था...

अगर मुझे एक ऐसी दवाई बनानी हो जो दुनिया की हर बीमारी ठीक कर दे, तो वो कैसी होगी...

क्या आपको लगता है कि बिना दवाई के भी इंसान ठीक हो सकता है?

अपनी पिछली बीमारी और ली गई दवाइयों के बारे में लिखें।

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is feminine. This is why we say 'dawaai li' and not 'dawaai liya'. All adjectives must also be feminine, like 'acchi dawaai'.

Yes, 'dawaai khaana' is very common for tablets and pills. However, for liquids or general medical care, 'lena' is more appropriate and formal.

The plural is 'dawaiyaan' (दवाइयाँ). Note that the 'ee' shortens to 'i' when the 'yaan' suffix is added.

You say 'Mujhe dawaai leni hai'. Because 'dawaai' is feminine, the infinitive 'lena' becomes 'leni'.

Yes, because 'lena' is a transitive verb. You must say 'Maine dawaai li' (I took medicine).

Yes, 'Aushadhi' is the formal Sanskrit-derived word, and 'Dawa' is a slightly more formal Urdu-derived word.

'Khaane se pehle' means before food, and 'Khaane ke baad' means after food.

It is a colloquial compound word meaning 'medical treatment and care'. It doesn't necessarily mean alcohol is involved.

Yes, for liquid medicines, 'peena' (to drink) is acceptable, but 'lena' still works perfectly.

Usually, for injections, we use 'tika lagwana' or 'injection lagwana'. 'Dawaai lena' is more for oral or general consumption.