Meaning
To consume medication for health purposes.
Cultural Background
Brazilians often use the diminutive 'remedinho' to make the act of taking medicine sound less serious or more comforting, especially with children. In Portugal, people are generally more formal about medication. You will hear 'medicamento' in pharmacies more often than in Brazil. In Angola, traditional medicine ('medicina tradicional') is often used alongside modern medicine. 'Tomar um remédio' can refer to a traditional herb-based drink. The phrase 'Santo Remédio' is a common idiom meaning a 'perfect solution' or a 'miracle cure' for any problem, not just health.
The 'Para' Rule
Always use 'para' to say what the medicine is for. 'Remédio para febre', 'Remédio para dor'.
Avoid 'Beber'
Even if it's a liquid syrup, 'tomar' sounds more natural than 'beber'.
Meaning
To consume medication for health purposes.
The 'Para' Rule
Always use 'para' to say what the medicine is for. 'Remédio para febre', 'Remédio para dor'.
Avoid 'Beber'
Even if it's a liquid syrup, 'tomar' sounds more natural than 'beber'.
Diminutives
Use 'remedinho' to sound more sympathetic when talking to someone who is sick.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'tomar'.
Eu ______ um remédio para a cabeça todos os dias.
The subject is 'Eu' (I), so the correct present tense form is 'tomo'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I need to take medicine'?
In Portuguese, 'tomar' is the standard verb for medication.
Complete the dialogue.
Mãe: Você já ______ o remédio? Filho: Sim, eu ______ há dez minutos.
The mother asks in the past (Você já tomou?) and the son answers in the past (eu tomei).
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at the pharmacy with a sore throat.
A pharmacy is the place to get 'remédio', and 'garganta' means throat.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tomar vs. Outros Verbos
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu ______ um remédio para a cabeça todos os dias.
The subject is 'Eu' (I), so the correct present tense form is 'tomo'.
How do you say 'I need to take medicine'?
In Portuguese, 'tomar' is the standard verb for medication.
Mãe: Você já ______ o remédio? Filho: Sim, eu ______ há dez minutos.
The mother asks in the past (Você já tomou?) and the son answers in the past (eu tomei).
Situation: You are at the pharmacy with a sore throat.
A pharmacy is the place to get 'remédio', and 'garganta' means throat.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but 'tomar um comprimido' is much more common for medical pills. 'Pílula' is often associated specifically with birth control.
In a medical sense, yes. But 'droga' in Portuguese often implies illegal drugs, so stick to 'remédio' or 'medicamento'.
You say: 'Eu preciso de uma receita para este remédio.'
Yes, 'tomar vitaminas' is the correct expression.
'Medicamento' is the technical, pharmaceutical product. 'Remédio' is anything that cures, including tea or rest.
Yes, you can say 'tomar uma injeção'.
Use 'o' for a specific one you already mentioned, and no article or 'um' for medicine in general.
You say 'Estou tomando remédio' or 'Estou sob medicação'.
Yes, 'tomar a vacina' is the standard phrase.
You say: 'Eu esqueci de tomar o remédio.'
Related Phrases
Passar um remédio
similarTo prescribe a medicine
Dar um remédio
similarTo give medicine to someone
Remédio caseiro
specialized formHome remedy
Estar medicado
builds onTo be on medication
