antitusivo
/antitusibo/from spelling rules
The English word 'antitussive' translates to Spanish as antitusivo.
An antitussive is a cough suppressant or a drug that inhibits coughing.
Meaning: a cough suppressant or a drug that inhibits coughing (noun)
Which one should you use?
Antigripal con acción antitusiva describes medications that tackle flu symptoms and suppress coughing, while Medicamento para calmar la tos translates to 'medicine to relieve coughing'. Medicina contra la tos is an informal, generic term for 'antitussive'.
How do you pronounce it?
/antitusibo/
Did you know?
- While antitusivo is the precise technical term, a Spanish speaker in a pharmacy is more likely to ask for jarabe para la tos (syrup for the cough) or algo para la tos. Using the technical term might sound overly clinical in casual conversation.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a cough suppressant is often colloquially associated with 'remedios caseros' like honey and lemon, even if a person specifically asks for an antitusivo at the chemist.
- The root of antitusivo is the Latin tussis, which is the direct ancestor of the English word 'tussis' used in medical terminology. It follows a linguistic path shared by both languages through the Proto-Italic-derived term for a cough.
Examples in context
- Este medicamento es un antitusivo eficazThis medicine is an effective antitussive.
- Este jarabe es un antigripal con acción antitusivaThis syrup is a flu medicine with antitussive action.
- Este jarabe ayuda a calmar la tosThis syrup helps soothe coughing.
- Necesito una medicina contra la tosI need a medicine for coughing.
- Deberías probar este jarabe, es un antitusivo muy efectivo.You should try this syrup, it's a very effective antitussive.
- Necesito comprar un antitusivo en la farmacia.I need to buy a cough suppressant at the pharmacy.
- El médico me recetó un antitusivo fuerte.The doctor prescribed me a strong cough suppressant.
- Este antitusivo ayuda a calmar la tos.This cough suppressant helps to calm the cough.
Example conversation
At a pharmacy, Daniel is asking María for advice.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿tienes mucha tos?Daniel, do you have a bad cough?
- DanielSí, María, no puedo parar de toser.Yes, María, I cannot stop coughing.
- MaríaTal vez un antitusivo te ayude.Maybe a cough suppressant will help you.
- DanielGracias, buscaré uno ahora mismo.Thanks, I will look for one right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries antitusivo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
