French · Body & Health

"Medicine" in French: médicament

le médicament

Say it: may-dee-ka-MAHNmasculine · le médicamentnoun/me.di.ka.mɑ̃/

Medicine (a drug) in French is le médicament, masculine. La médecine is the field of medicine. You take medication: prendre un médicament.

At the pharmacy

Ce médicament se prend après le repas.
This medicine is taken after meals.
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How to pronounce médicament

Say it

may-dee-ka-MAHN

/me.di.ka.mɑ̃/

Médicament: may-dee-ka-MAHN. Final -ment is a nasal ahn. Stress toward the end.

"Medicine" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
le médicamentmedicine / medication

A drug or pill.

prendre un médicamentto take medicine

Common verb pairing.

sans ordonnanceover the counter

No prescription.

la médecinemedicine (the field)

Different word.

How to use médicament in real life

  1. 1At the pharmacy

    Ce médicament se prend après le repas.

    This medicine is taken after meals.

    Se prend = is taken.

  2. 2Feeling ill

    J'ai oublié mon médicament ce matin.

    I forgot my medicine this morning.

    Mon médicament.

  3. 3Reminder

    N'oublie pas ton médicament avant de dormir.

    Don't forget your medicine before sleeping.

    Ton with tu.

Mistakes English speakers make with médicament

Incorrect: La médicament.

Correct: Le médicament.

Médicament is masculine.

Incorrect: Je prends de la médecine pour la tête.

Correct: Je prends un médicament pour la tête.

Médecine is the profession/field; pills are médicaments.

Good to know

Pharmaciens in France give a lot of advice and can suggest over-the-counter options. Stronger drugs need une ordonnance from a doctor.

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Picking up a prescription

  1. ChatPal

    Tu as trouvé ton médicament ?

    Did you find your medicine?

  2. You

    Oui, le médicament est derrière le comptoir.

    Yes, the medicine is behind the counter.

  3. ChatPal

    Tu dois le prendre combien de fois ?

    How many times do you have to take it?

  4. You

    Deux fois par jour, pendant une semaine.

    Twice a day for a week.

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"Medicine" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Medicine" in French

Médicament or médecine?

Médicament = a drug; médecine = the medical field.

How do I say take medicine?

Prendre un médicament.

Gender?

Le médicament is masculine.

Pronunciation?

May-dee-ka-MAHN.

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  4. Step 4: Use it in real scenarios

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