Oral administration is the standard method of taking medication through the digestive system.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to taking medicine by swallowing through the mouth.
- The most common and convenient method of drug administration.
- Used to distinguish oral medication from topical or injectable forms.
Overview
- 1概述：口服（kǒufú）是一个医学与日常生活中高频使用的词汇。从字面意思看，“口”代表嘴巴，“服”代表服用药物。它指药物经由口腔进入胃肠道，通过消化系统吸收后进入血液循环，从而发挥全身或局部治疗作用。
使用模式：在句子中，“口服”既可以作为动词使用（例如：建议口服该药），也可以作为名词修饰语（例如：口服液、口服药）。它通常与“一天几次”、“饭前/饭后”等频率和时间状语连用，以明确用药规范。
- 1常见语境：在医院就诊时，医生会明确告知患者药物是“口服”还是“外用”。在阅读说明书时，“口服”是出现频率最高的词汇之一，用于区分那些不能吞咽的药剂。此外，在描述药物剂型时，如“口服片”、“口服胶囊”、“口服溶液”等，它是核心定义词。
Examples
医生嘱咐我这个药要口服，一天三次。
everydayThe doctor told me to take this medicine orally, three times a day.
本品仅限口服，严禁注射。
formalThis product is for oral use only; injection is strictly prohibited.
要是觉得药苦，口服完可以喝点水。
informalIf you find the medicine bitter, you can drink some water after taking it.
该实验观察了药物口服后的生物利用度。
academicThe experiment observed the bioavailability of the drug after oral administration.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
口服给药
Oral drug administration
谨遵口服说明
Follow oral instructions carefully
Often Confused With
Refers to topical applications like creams or patches, whereas oral refers to swallowing.
Often used in traditional medicine; it implies internal use, which is broader than just oral administration.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term is formal and precise, commonly found on prescription labels and medical instructions. It is not used for food or drink, only for medication. In casual speech, people often use '吃药' (take medicine) instead of '口服' for simplicity.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use '口服' to describe eating food, which is incorrect. Another error is confusing it with '外用' (topical). Remember that '口服' always involves the digestive tract.
Tips
Check the instructions carefully
Always check if the label says 'before meals' or 'after meals'. This significantly affects how your body absorbs the medication.
Do not crush sustained-release tablets
Some pills are designed to release medicine slowly. Crushing them can cause a dangerous overdose.
Traditional Chinese Medicine context
In TCM, liquid herbal decoctions are almost always 'oral' (内服). The term '服药' is often used interchangeably with '口服'.
Word Origin
The word is a compound of '口' (mouth) and '服' (to take or ingest). Historically, '服' meant to submit or follow, later evolving to mean taking medicine in obedience to a prescription.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, medicine is often categorized strictly by whether it is 'internal' (oral) or 'external' (topical). This distinction is vital for patient safety and is emphasized in both modern hospitals and traditional clinics.
Memory Tip
Think of '口' (mouth) + '服' (to take/submit to). You submit the medicine to your mouth to get better!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions不一定。是否饭后服用取决于药物对胃的刺激性和吸收特性，请务必遵循医嘱或阅读药品说明书。
两者意思相近，但“口服”更常用于现代医学和药品说明，而“内服”常用于中医描述药物进入体内发挥作用。
建议咨询医生或药师是否可以将药片碾碎，因为有些缓释片是不能掰开或碾碎服用的。
是的，由于口服药需要经过胃肠道吸收，其起效速度通常慢于静脉注射。
Test Yourself
医生建议这种感冒药应该___，每天三次。
感冒药通常通过口服方式进入人体。
下列描述中，哪个最不符合“口服”的定义？
涂抹在皮肤上属于外用，不属于口服。
饭后 / 每天 / 口服 / 两次 / 请
标准的中文语序是：时间状语 + 动作 + 频率。
Score: /3
Summary
Oral administration is the standard method of taking medication through the digestive system.
- Refers to taking medicine by swallowing through the mouth.
- The most common and convenient method of drug administration.
- Used to distinguish oral medication from topical or injectable forms.
Check the instructions carefully
Always check if the label says 'before meals' or 'after meals'. This significantly affects how your body absorbs the medication.
Do not crush sustained-release tablets
Some pills are designed to release medicine slowly. Crushing them can cause a dangerous overdose.
Traditional Chinese Medicine context
In TCM, liquid herbal decoctions are almost always 'oral' (内服). The term '服药' is often used interchangeably with '口服'.
Examples
4 of 4医生嘱咐我这个药要口服，一天三次。
The doctor told me to take this medicine orally, three times a day.
本品仅限口服，严禁注射。
This product is for oral use only; injection is strictly prohibited.
要是觉得药苦，口服完可以喝点水。
If you find the medicine bitter, you can drink some water after taking it.
该实验观察了药物口服后的生物利用度。
The experiment observed the bioavailability of the drug after oral administration.
