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How to Say ‘How do I take the medicine?’ in Portuguese

Como é que tomo o medicamento?

KOH-moo eh kuh TOH-moo oo meh-dee-kah-MEN-too

[KOH-moo eh kuh TOH-moo oo meh-dee-kah-MEN-too]

💬 Usage Tip: tomar is the everyday verb for taking medicine, and also for having a drink: tomar um café "have a coffee".

Phrase Breakdown

Como é que tomo

KOH-moo eh kuh TOH-moo

How do I take

'Como é que' is a very common Portuguese way to ask 'how'. In Portugal, 'que' sounds like a short 'k'. 'Tomo' means 'I take'.

Example

Como é que tomo isto?

How do I take this?

Words in this phrase

Como

[KOH-moo]

how

Question word asking about manner or state.

Example

Como estás?

How are you?

[eh]

Form of the verb 'ser' used to identify or state something.

Example

É meu interesse conhecer melhor a empresa.

It is my interest to get to know the company better.

que

[kuh]

that

Often used in expressions like claro que sim to reinforce the statement.

Example

Acho que podemos colaborar bem.

I think that we can collaborate well.

tomo

[TOH-moo]

I take

First person of 'tomar', used for taking medicine.

Example

Tomo o xarope à noite.

I take the syrup at night.

o medicamento?

oo meh-dee-kah-MEN-too

the medicine?

The article 'o' (the) stays with its noun. Say it as 'oo meh-dee-kah-MEN-too'. The final 'o' is a soft 'oo'.

Example

Onde está o medicamento?

Where is the medicine?

Words in this phrase

[oo]

the

A masculine singular definite article used before nouns.

Example

O prazer de participar foi grande.

The pleasure of taking part was great.

medicamento

[meh-dee-kah-MEN-too]

medicine

A drug or medication used for treatment.

Example

O medicamento está na farmácia.

The medicine is at the pharmacy.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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