How to Say ‘Take (medicine).’ in Japanese
のみます。
nomi masu
[noh-mee mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [飲みます] is the polite form of [飲む]. In instructions, polite form sounds clear and professional, especially from pharmacists.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Even in casual settings, medical instructions often stay polite in Japan. It’s a “safety and clarity” vibe.
Phrase Breakdown
のみ
nomi
[noh-mee]
drink/take (polite stem: nomi-)
The stem of 飲みます. Used before ます to make polite present/future form.
食後に薬をのみます。
I take the medicine after meals.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
Attaches to a verb stem to make the polite form (e.g., のみます, たべます). Common in customer-service Japanese.
この薬は食後にのみます。
You take this medicine after meals.
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