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B1 verb #7,000 most common 7 min read

口服

kǒufú Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 口服 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 口服 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word '口服' (kǒufú) yourself. Instead, you use '吃药' (chī yào), which means 'eat medicine.' However, you might see '口服' on a medicine box you buy at a store. It just means the medicine goes in your mouth. If you see a picture of a mouth and this word, it tells you how to use the medicine. It is a very formal way to say 'by mouth.' Think of it as a signpost in a pharmacy.

At the A2 level, you should start recognizing '口服' (kǒufú) as a formal medical term. You might hear a pharmacist say, '这个药口服' (This medicine is for oral use). You should understand that this is different from '外用' (wàiyòng), which means you put it on your skin. You can start using it in simple sentences when talking about health instructions, like '一日三次口服' (Take orally three times a day). This shows you are learning more professional Chinese words.

At the B1 level, '口服' (kǒufú) is a key vocabulary word for discussing health, doctors, and instructions. You should be able to use it to describe the route of administration accurately. For example, if you are explaining a prescription to a friend, you might say, '医生说这种药必须口服' (The doctor said this medicine must be taken orally). You should also know common compounds like '口服液' (oral liquid) and be able to distinguish '口服' from '吞服' (to swallow) or '含服' (to keep in the mouth).

At the B2 level, you should use '口服' (kǒufú) naturally in formal contexts, such as writing a health report or discussing medical news. You should understand its nuances in pharmacology, such as '口服生物利用度' (oral bioavailability). You are expected to know the difference between '口服' and other routes of administration like '静脉注射' (intravenous injection) or '皮下注射' (subcutaneous injection). You can also use it in more complex sentence structures, such as '由于患者呕吐，无法进行口服给药' (Due to vomiting, the patient cannot undergo oral drug administration).

At the C1 level, '口服' (kǒufú) is part of your professional lexicon. You should be able to discuss the pros and cons of oral administration versus other methods in a medical or scientific debate. You would understand subtle nuances in instructions, such as '空腹口服' (take orally on an empty stomach) versus '随餐口服' (take orally with a meal). You should also be familiar with the word's appearance in legal and regulatory documents regarding drug safety and labeling standards in Chinese-speaking regions.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '口服' (kǒufú). You can use it in highly specialized medical research, pharmaceutical manufacturing discussions, or public health policy analysis. You understand the historical evolution of the character '服' in medical texts and can interpret archaic uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) literature. You can also distinguish '口服' from very rare or highly technical administration terms used in advanced surgery or experimental medicine without any hesitation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

口服 in 30 Seconds

Formal term for taking medicine by mouth.
Commonly found on medicine labels and prescriptions.
Contrasts with 'external use' (外用) and 'injection' (注射).
Essential for B1+ level medical and health conversations.

The term 口服 (kǒufú) is a specialized Chinese verb and adjective primarily utilized within medical, pharmaceutical, and health contexts. At its most basic level, it translates to 'oral administration' or 'to take by mouth.' While a beginner might simply say 吃药 (chī yào - eat medicine), the term 口服 elevates the register to a professional, clinical, or formal level. It is the standard term found on medicine bottles, prescriptions, and in hospital dialogues. Understanding this word is crucial for anyone navigating the healthcare system in a Chinese-speaking environment or reading instructions on over-the-counter medications.

Linguistic Composition: The word is composed of two characters: 口 (kǒu) meaning 'mouth' and 服 (fú) which, in this context, means 'to take medicine' or 'to consume.' Historically, 服 referred to wearing clothes or serving, but it evolved to include the 'consumption' of herbs in traditional Chinese medicine.

这种感冒药需要每天三次口服。(Zhè zhǒng gǎnmào yào xūyào měitiān sāncì kǒufú.) — This cold medicine needs to be taken orally three times a day.

You will encounter this word most frequently when a doctor is providing instructions. It contrasts sharply with other methods of administration such as 外用 (wàiyòng - external use), 注射 (zhùshè - injection), or 皮下注射 (píxià zhùshè - subcutaneous injection). If a label says 切勿口服 (qièwù kǒufú), it is a stern warning: 'Do not ingest' or 'Not for oral use,' often seen on disinfectants or topical creams.

Common Compounds: 口服液 (kǒufúyè): Oral liquid/solution.
口服药 (kǒufúyào): Oral medicine.
口服避孕药 (kǒufú bìyùnyào): Oral contraceptives.

请问这种药是口服的还是外用的？(Qǐngwèn zhè zhǒng yào shì kǒufú de háishì wàiyòng de?) — Excuse me, is this medicine for oral use or external use?

In a broader sense, 口服 represents the professionalization of language as a learner moves from HSK 1-2 (basic survival) to HSK 3-4 (B1 level). It shows an awareness of formal register. For instance, in a medical report, the phrase 'The patient tolerated oral medication well' would use 口服, never 吃. It implies a systematic, regulated process of ingestion rather than the simple act of eating.

Using 口服 (kǒufú) correctly requires understanding its role as a formal descriptor of an action. It doesn't usually take a direct object in the same way 'eat' does. You don't often say 'I oral medicine.' Instead, you say 'Medicine is for oral use' or 'Administer orally.'

Pattern 1: [Medicine] + [Frequency] + 口服: This is the standard instructional format. Example: 止痛药每日两次口服 (Painkillers, twice daily, oral administration).

医生嘱咐这种抗生素必须饭后口服。(Yīshēng zhǔfù zhè zhǒng kàngshēngsù bìxū fànhòu kǒufú.) — The doctor instructed that this antibiotic must be taken orally after meals.

Another common usage is as an adjective modifying a noun. In this case, 口服 describes the type of medicine. For example, 口服补液盐 (Oral Rehydration Salts) or 口服制剂 (Oral preparations). This is essential for technical accuracy in medical writing or when discussing specific drug formats.

Pattern 2: 供 (gōng - for) + 口服: Used to specify the intended route. Example: 此药仅供口服 (This medicine is for oral use only).

由于患者无法口服，医生决定改为静脉注射。(Yóuyú huànzhě wúfǎ kǒufú, yīshēng juédìng gǎiwéi jìngmài zhùshè.) — Since the patient was unable to take it orally, the doctor decided to switch to intravenous injection.

When discussing dosage, 口服 often appears at the end of the clause to define the method. For example: 一次两片，口服 (Two tablets at a time, orally). This structure is concise and mirrors the efficiency required in medical documentation.

The word 口服 (kǒufú) is ubiquitous in specific domains. While you won't hear it at a dinner party, it is the 'language of authority' in health. If you are in a Chinese pharmacy (药店 - yàodiàn), the pharmacist will use this word to clarify how to use the medicine you just bought.

药剂师：这些药片是口服的，请不要研碎。(Yàojìshī: Zhèxiē yàopiàn shì kǒufú de, qǐng bùyào yánsuì.) — Pharmacist: These tablets are for oral use; please do not crush them.

In television and radio advertisements for health supplements (保健品 - bǎojiànpǐn), 口服 is used to sound scientific and trustworthy. A product might be marketed as a 口服美容液 (oral beauty liquid). This branding suggests that the product works 'from the inside out,' a common theme in Chinese wellness culture.

Clinical Settings: In hospitals, nurses will use the term when confirming a patient's medication schedule. For example, 'Is the patient ready for oral medication?' (病人准备好口服给药了吗？). It is part of the standardized vocabulary of nursing care.

这种疫苗可以通过口服的方式接种，非常方便。(Zhè zhǒng yìmiáo kěyǐ tōngguò kǒufú de fāngshì jiēzhòng, fēicháng fāngbiàn.) — This vaccine can be administered orally, which is very convenient.

You will also see it on warning labels for toxic household items. Cleaning supplies often bear the warning 严禁口服 (yánjìn kǒufú - strictly prohibited for oral consumption). This is the official way to say 'Do not drink' or 'Poisonous if swallowed.'

The most frequent mistake learners make with 口服 (kǒufú) is using it in casual contexts where 吃 (chī) or 喝 (hē) is appropriate. Since 口服 means 'to take by mouth,' some learners mistakenly use it for food or drinks.

Mistake 1: Using it for food: Wrong: 我口服了一个苹果。(I orally administered an apple.)
Right: 我吃了一个苹果。(I ate an apple.)
Explanation: 口服 is strictly medical or clinical.

错误用法示例：这种果汁可以口服。(Wrong: This juice can be orally administered.) — Correct: 这种果汁可以喝。

Another error is confusing 口服 with 吞服 (tūnfú). While all 吞服 (swallowing) is 口服, not all 口服 medicine should be swallowed whole. Some might need to be chewed (嚼服 jiáofú) or dissolved under the tongue (舌下含服 shéxià hánfú). If you tell someone to 口服 a pill that must be dissolved, they might swallow it and reduce its effectiveness.

Mistake 2: Redundancy: Wrong: 用嘴巴口服。(Orally administer with the mouth.)
Explanation: 口 already means mouth. This is like saying 'ATM machine.'

请注意：口服是正式用语，日常生活中说“吃药”即可。(Note: 'Oral administration' is formal; in daily life, just say 'eat medicine.')

Finally, learners sometimes forget that 口服 is a verb-object compound that functions as a single unit. You cannot separate 口 and 服 with other words like '口很服' or '口不服.' (Note: 口服心服 is an idiom, but it's unrelated to medicine!)

To truly master 口服 (kǒufú), you must distinguish it from its synonyms and related medical terms. Each has a specific nuance regarding how the medicine enters the body.

口服 vs. 吃药 (Chīyào): 吃药 is the colloquial, everyday term used by everyone from children to doctors in casual settings. 口服 is the clinical term found on packaging and in formal medical reports.
口服 vs. 吞服 (Tūnfú): 吞服 specifically means 'to swallow.' 口服 is the broader category. You can 口服 a liquid without 'swallowing' it in the sense of a pill (though technically you do), but 吞服 specifically emphasizes the act of swallowing a solid tablet or capsule.

对比：
1. 这种药片建议温开水送吞服。(Swallow with warm water.)
2. 本品为口服制剂。(This product is an oral preparation.)

Other specialized terms include 含服 (hánfú), which means to keep the medicine in the mouth (like a lozenge), and 冲服 (chōngfú), which means to dissolve the medicine in water before drinking. These are all sub-types of 口服.

Antonym: 外用 (Wàiyòng): This is the most important contrast. 外用 refers to creams, ointments, or sprays applied to the skin. Confusing these two can be dangerous.

警示：外用药严禁口服。(Warning: External medicine is strictly prohibited for oral use.)

In a broader pharmaceutical context, you might also hear 给药 (gěiyào) which means 'administration of drug.' 口服给药 (oral drug administration) is the full technical phrase used in pharmacology textbooks.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese, the word '服' (fú) was used for medicine because taking herbal decoctions was seen as 'wearing' the internal healing properties of the plants, similar to how clothes protect the exterior.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kəʊ ˈfuː/

US /koʊ ˈfu/

The stress is balanced, but the second syllable 'fú' rises in pitch.

Rhymes With

手 (shǒu) 走 (zǒu) 狗 (gǒu) 福 (fú) 毒 (dú) 读 (dú) 足 (zú) 肉 (ròu)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kou' as 'koo'. It should have an 'o-u' diphthong.
Pronouncing 'fu' as 'fuh'. It should be a long 'u' sound.
Mixing up the tones: 3rd tone on 'kou' and 2nd tone on 'fu'.
Confusing 'fu' with 'fo'.
Using a flat tone for both syllables.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize '口' (mouth); '服' is a common B1 character.

Writing 4/5

Writing '服' requires attention to stroke order and the left/right structure.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward with clear tones.

Listening 3/5

Easy to hear in medical contexts, but might be confused with '服' in other words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

口服吃药医生

Learn Next

外用注射剂量副作用过敏

Advanced

药代动力学生物利用度首过效应缓释技术控释制剂

Grammar to Know

The use of '的' as an adjective marker.

这是口服的药。

Frequency expressions before the verb.

一日两次口服。

Resultative complements (though rare with '口服').

口服完了。

Using '严禁' (strictly prohibit) with verbs.

严禁口服。

Prepositional phrases indicating method.

通过口服给药。

Examples by Level

这个药是口服的。

This medicine is for oral use.

Simple [Noun] + 是 + [Adjective] + 的 structure.

口服药在这里。

The oral medicine is here.

Using '口服' as an adjective modifying '药'.

我不喜欢口服液。

I don't like oral liquids.

Noun compound '口服液'.

你要口服吗？

Do you want to take it orally?

Simple question with '吗'.

这药每天口服一次。

Take this medicine orally once a day.

Frequency + 口服.

这是口服的药。

This is medicine for oral use.

Attributive '口服的'.

口服，不是外用。

Oral, not for external use.

Contrastive use.

请问怎么口服？

Excuse me, how do I take it orally?

Asking for instructions.

这种药片需要温水口服。

These tablets need to be taken orally with warm water.

Method (温水) + 口服.

医生说要饭后口服。

The doctor said to take it orally after meals.

Time (饭后) + 口服.

请看口服说明书。

Please read the oral administration instructions.

Compound noun '口服说明书'.

感冒药一般是口服的。

Cold medicine is usually taken orally.

General statement.

每天两次，每次一片，口服。

Twice a day, one tablet each time, orally.

Standard medical instruction format.

这瓶口服液很甜。

This bottle of oral liquid is very sweet.

Describing a specific product.

小孩子不肯口服药片。

The little child is unwilling to take the tablets orally.

Verb usage with '肯'.

口服药比注射更方便。

Oral medicine is more convenient than injections.

Comparison structure.

由于胃部不适，他无法口服任何药物。

Due to stomach discomfort, he cannot take any medication orally.

Formal cause-effect structure.

这种新型疫苗目前只能通过口服接种。

This new vaccine can currently only be administered via oral vaccination.

Technical context.

请确认这是口服制剂，严禁外用。

Please confirm this is an oral preparation; external use is strictly prohibited.

Formal warning language.

口服避孕药必须按时服用才有效。

Oral contraceptives must be taken on time to be effective.

Specific medical term.

这种药的口服吸收效果非常好。

The oral absorption effect of this medicine is very good.

Scientific description.

患者在口服药物后出现了轻微过敏。

The patient experienced a slight allergy after taking the oral medication.

Clinical observation.

长期口服此类药物可能会损伤肝脏。

Long-term oral administration of this type of drug may damage the liver.

Health warning.

我们需要准备一些口服补液盐。

We need to prepare some oral rehydration salts.

First aid context.

该药物的口服生物利用度约为百分之六十。

The oral bioavailability of this drug is approximately sixty percent.

Pharmacological terminology.

为了减轻副作用，建议随餐口服。

To reduce side effects, it is recommended to take it orally with a meal.

Professional advice.

口服给药是临床上最常用的给药途径。

Oral administration is the most commonly used route of drug administration in clinical practice.

Academic statement.

这种蛋白质药物不能口服，因为会被胃酸分解。

This protein drug cannot be taken orally because it would be broken down by stomach acid.

Scientific explanation.

研发团队正在开发一种可口服的胰岛素。

The R&D team is developing an oral insulin.

Medical innovation context.

在服用口服抗凝药期间，应避免摄入过多维生素K。

While taking oral anticoagulants, one should avoid excessive intake of vitamin K.

Complex medical instruction.

这种药剂被设计成在肠道内释放，而非口服后立即溶解。

This formulation is designed to be released in the intestines rather than dissolving immediately after oral intake.

Advanced pharmaceutical description.

临床试验显示，口服组与对照组无显著差异。

Clinical trials showed no significant difference between the oral group and the control group.

Research terminology.

口服给药的便捷性极大地提高了患者的依从性。

The convenience of oral administration significantly improves patient compliance.

Abstract medical concepts.

首过效应是影响口服药物疗效的关键因素之一。

The first-pass effect is one of the key factors affecting the efficacy of oral drugs.

Specialized pharmacology.

医师应根据患者的年龄和病情调整口服剂量。

Physicians should adjust the oral dosage according to the patient's age and condition.

Formal medical professional language.

该药品的说明书明确标注了口服禁忌症。

The drug's instructions clearly label the oral contraindications.

Regulatory and safety language.

口服补液疗法在治疗儿童腹泻中起着至关重要循环的作用。

Oral rehydration therapy plays a crucial role in treating childhood diarrhea.

Public health context.

大规模口服脊髓灰质炎疫苗的推广彻底改变了防疫现状。

The promotion of large-scale oral polio vaccines has completely changed the status of epidemic prevention.

Historical/Scientific narrative.

对于吞咽困难的患者，口服给药需格外谨慎。

For patients with dysphagia, oral drug administration requires extreme caution.

Clinical risk management.

虽然口服途径较为安全，但仍需警惕胃肠道反应。

Although the oral route is relatively safe, one must still be alert to gastrointestinal reactions.

Balanced clinical assessment.

由于口服制剂受胃肠道生理环境影响巨大，其缓释技术的研发极具挑战。

As oral preparations are greatly affected by the physiological environment of the gastrointestinal tract, the development of their sustained-release technology is highly challenging.

Highly technical pharmaceutical science.

在药代动力学研究中，口服给药后的血药浓度曲线是核心数据。

In pharmacokinetic studies, the blood concentration curve after oral administration is the core data.

Advanced scientific research.

该法律条款旨在规范所有口服非处方药的包装与标识。

This legal clause aims to regulate the packaging and labeling of all oral over-the-counter drugs.

Legal/Regulatory discourse.

通过纳米技术改良口服药物的溶解性已成为当前的研究热点。

Improving the solubility of oral drugs through nanotechnology has become a current research hotspot.

Cutting-edge technology discussion.

口服耐受性的建立在自身免疫性疾病的防治中具有潜在价值。

The establishment of oral tolerance has potential value in the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Immunological theory.

医师需权衡口服药物的便利性与其可能存在的首过代谢损耗。

Physicians need to weigh the convenience of oral medication against its possible loss due to first-pass metabolism.

Complex clinical decision-making.

口服补液盐的配方演变体现了循证医学的严谨性。

The evolution of the formula for oral rehydration salts reflects the rigor of evidence-based medicine.

Epistemological discussion of medicine.

严禁将仅限外用的化学制剂误认为口服药剂，以防酿成惨剧。

It is strictly forbidden to mistake chemical preparations for external use only as oral agents, to prevent tragedies.

High-stakes safety communication.

Common Collocations

口服药

口服液

口服剂量

口服避孕药

口服补液

严禁口服

温水口服

饭后口服

口服给药

口服吸收

Common Phrases

一日三次，口服

— Standard prescription instruction: take orally three times a day.

标签上写着：一日三次，口服。

仅供口服

— For oral use only; do not apply elsewhere.

这瓶药水仅供口服。

口服制剂

— Medicine prepared specifically for oral intake.

我们公司主要生产口服制剂。

口服疫苗

— A vaccine taken by mouth instead of an injection.

口服疫苗对儿童更友好。

口服抗生素

— Antibiotics taken in pill or liquid form.

医生开了七天的口服抗生素。

口服维生素

— Vitamin supplements taken by mouth.

她每天早上都吃口服维生素。

口服补品

— Health supplements taken orally.

市面上有很多种口服补品。

口服毒性

— The toxicity of a substance when ingested.

研究人员测试了该化学品的口服毒性。

口服胰岛素

— A theoretical or developing form of insulin taken by mouth.

口服胰岛素的研发一直是一个难题。

口服耐受

— The body's ability to tolerate a substance taken orally.

口服耐受在过敏治疗中很重要。

Often Confused With

口服 vs 服用

General term for taking medicine; '口服' is specifically 'by mouth'.

口服 vs 吞服

Specifically 'to swallow'; '口服' can include liquids or chewing.

口服 vs 心服

Part of an idiom; means to be convinced, nothing to do with medicine.

Idioms & Expressions

"口服心服"

— To be convinced both in word and in heart; to be sincerely convinced.

听了他的解释，大家无不口服心服。

General (Not Medical)

"良药苦口"

— Good medicine tastes bitter; honest advice is hard to hear.

良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行。

General

"心服口服"

— A variation of '口服心服'; to be thoroughly convinced.

这场比赛我输得心服口服。

General

"病从口入"

— Illness enters through the mouth; watch what you eat.

俗话说病从口入，饮食卫生很重要。

General

"服药如神"

— Taking medicine with miraculous results.

这位名医开的药，真是服药如神。

Literary

"无可奉告"

— No comment (Not related, but contains '口').

对于这个问题，我无可奉告。

Formal

"口是心非"

— Saying one thing but meaning another.

他总是口是心非，让人难以信任。

General

"服服帖帖"

— Obedient; submissive.

他把那匹烈马训得服服帖帖。

Colloquial

"口蜜腹剑"

— Honey on the tongue, a sword in the belly; two-faced.

要提防那种口蜜腹剑的小人。

General

"药到病除"

— The disease is cured as soon as the medicine is taken.

医生开的药真灵，真是药到病除。

General

Easily Confused

口服 vs 内服

Both mean taking medicine internally.

'内服' is often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to contrast with '外敷'. '口服' is the modern clinical term.

本药内服，一日两次。

口服 vs 含服

Both involve the mouth.

'含服' means keeping it in the mouth (under tongue or like a lozenge). '口服' usually implies drinking or swallowing.

硝酸甘油需要舌下含服。

口服 vs 嚼服

Both involve the mouth.

'嚼服' means you must chew it. '口服' is the general category.

这种维生素片建议嚼服。

口服 vs 冲服

Both involve drinking.

'冲服' means dissolving powder in water first. '口服' is the general category.

感冒清热颗粒需开水冲服。

口服 vs 外用

Often seen next to '口服'.

They are opposites. '外用' is external; '口服' is internal.

红花油只能外用，不可口服。

Sentence Patterns

这是口服药。

[Time]口服。

饭后口服。

请问这种药怎么口服？

严禁口服。

外用药严禁口服。

由于[Reason]，无法口服。

由于呕吐，无法口服。

口服[Noun]制剂。

这是一种口服液体制剂。

口服[Noun]的优缺点。

口服给药的优缺点很明显。

提高口服[Noun]的生物利用度。

提高口服药物的生物利用度是关键。

Word Family

Nouns

口服液

口服药

口服制剂

Verbs

服用

吞服

含服

嚼服

Adjectives

口服的

给药

吸收

药效

剂量

处方

How to Use It

frequency

High in medical/professional contexts; Low in casual street talk.

Common Mistakes

Using '口服' for eating lunch. → 吃午饭
'口服' is for medicine only.
Saying '用口口服'. → 口服
The '口' in '口服' already means mouth; it's redundant.
Confusing '口服' with '含服' (lozenge). → 含服
'口服' usually implies swallowing; '含服' means letting it melt in the mouth.
Using '口服' as a simple object like '我买了一个口服'. → 我买了一瓶口服液。
'口服' needs to modify a noun like '药' or '液'.
Writing '服' without the '月' radical. → 服
The character '服' must include the left '月' radical.

Tips

Check the Label

Always look for '口服' or '外用' on Chinese medicine bottles to ensure safety.

Formal vs. Casual

Use '吃药' with friends, but use '口服' when translating a medical document.

No '了' with Instructions

Instructions like '一日三次口服' don't use the particle '了'.

Warning Signs

'切勿口服' and '严禁口服' are critical phrases to recognize for safety.

Tone Accuracy

Practice the 3rd-2nd tone combination to avoid sounding like 'mouth is convinced' (idiom).

Oral Liquids

Recognize that '口服液' are very popular gifts in China for health and wellness.

Hospital Talk

Expect to hear '口服' from nurses and doctors in a clinical setting.

Prescription Style

When writing a prescription, '口服' usually comes at the end of the instruction.

Pharma Ads

Listen for '口服' in TV commercials for vitamins or traditional tonics.

Word Roots

Learning '口' and '服' separately helps you guess the meaning of new compounds.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Kou' as the 'O' shape of a mouth, and 'Fu' as 'Food' (medicine is like food for the body). You 'Fu' (food) into the 'Kou' (mouth).

Visual Association

Imagine a medicine bottle with a large 'O' (mouth) on it. Inside the 'O', there is a pill. This is 'Kou' (mouth) 'Fu' (medicine).

Word Web

药 (Medicine) 嘴 (Mouth) 喝 (Drink) 吃 (Eat) 医生 (Doctor) 药店 (Pharmacy) 说明书 (Instructions) 健康 (Health)

Challenge

Go to a local Chinese grocery store and look at the health supplement section. Try to find three different products that have the characters '口服' on the label.

Word Origin

The term '口服' is a modern compound of two ancient characters. '口' (kǒu) is a pictograph of an open mouth, dating back to oracle bone script. '服' (fú) originally depicted a hand pressing on a person, meaning to serve or submit. Over time, '服' extended to 'wearing clothes' and later to 'taking medicine' (consuming herbs as a form of submission to a healing regimen).

Original meaning: To take medicine by mouth.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Always ensure clear distinction between '口服' and '外用' to prevent accidental poisoning.

In English, we usually say 'Take by mouth' or 'Oral.' 'Oral administration' is mostly used in medical textbooks.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) decoctions (汤药). The 'Oral Polio Vaccine' (OPV) campaigns in China. Common health drinks like 'AD Calcium Oral Liquid' (AD钙口服液).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Hospital

这种药怎么口服？
可以口服吗？
口服剂量是多少？
口服后有副作用吗？

At the Pharmacy

我买一盒口服液。
有没有口服的止痛药？
这是外用还是口服？
口服药在哪个柜台？

Reading Labels

严禁口服
饭前口服
温水口服
仅供口服

Health Discussions

口服维生素有用吗？
口服避孕药的风险
口服补液很重要
长期口服药物

First Aid

误食后严禁口服任何东西
口服补液盐在哪里？
快口服这片药
确认是否可口服

Conversation Starters

"请问这种药是口服的还是外用的？"

"医生，我吞咽困难，这个口服药能研碎吗？"

"这种口服液的味道怎么样？小孩子愿意喝吗？"

"口服这种药期间需要忌口吗？"

"为什么这种疫苗是口服的而不是注射的？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你去药店买口服药的经历。

你觉得口服药和注射药哪个更方便？为什么？

如果你是一个医生，你会如何向病人解释‘口服’和‘含服’的区别？

写一段关于某种健康口服液的广告词。

讨论一下在中国文化中，为什么‘口服液’这种形式非常流行。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '口服' is strictly a medical and professional term. Using it for food like apples or rice would sound very strange and robotic. Use '吃' (chī) for food.

'吃药' is casual and used in daily life. '口服' is formal and used in medical instructions, on labels, and in hospitals. Example: '我该吃药了' vs '此药口服'.

It can function as both. As a verb, it means 'to take orally' (e.g., 饭后口服). As an adjective/noun, it describes the type of medicine (e.g., 口服液 - oral liquid).

Generally yes, but specifically it means the route of entry is the mouth. '吞服' is the specific word for swallowing a pill.

It means 'Strictly prohibited for oral use.' You will see this on cleaning products, external medicines, or toxic chemicals.

Yes, but TCM also uses '内服' (nèifú) quite frequently. Both are understood.

It is '口服补液盐' (kǒufú bǔyè yán).

No, '口服液' refers to medicinal liquids or health tonics. You wouldn't call a soda a '口服液'.

No, that is incorrect. You would just say '喝水' (hē shuǐ). '口服' is only for medicine or supplements.

It is typically considered a B1 level word because it involves specialized vocabulary for health and formal instructions.