pastillas para la tos
/pastiʝas paɾa la tos/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'cough drops' is translated into Spanish as pastillas para la tos.
The phrase pastillas para la tos is used to refer to both medicated lozenges and non-medicinal soothing candies intended to help with a cough.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, pastillas para la tos translates to 'pills for the cough'.
Which one should you use?
While pastillas para la tos is the standard term, you may also see caramelos para la tos, which means 'cough candies'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the phrase is pastilla para la tos, which refers to a single cough drop.
How do you pronounce it?
/pastiʝas paɾa la tos/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word tos descends from the Latin tussis, which is an onomatopoeic word designed to mimic the actual sound of a cough.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people use the term pastillas to refer to any small, hard candy, even those that have no medicinal properties for a cough.
- While tos means 'cough', the word toser is the verb used to describe the act. In Spanish, you do not 'have a cough' as often as you simply 'cough' using the verb.
Examples in context
- Por favor, ¿dónde puedo encontrar pastillas para la tos?Please, where can I find cough drops?
- Disculpa, ¿dónde venden caramelos para la tos?Excuse me, where do they sell cough candies?
- ¿Quieres un caramelo para la tos?Do you want a cough candy?
- Compré pastillas para la tos en la farmacia.I bought cough drops at the pharmacy.
- ¿Tienes pastillas para la tos en tu bolso?Do you have cough drops in your bag?
- Estas pastillas para la tos son muy efectivas.These cough drops are very effective.
Example conversation
María is feeling unwell at home and Daniel is helping her.
- MaríaMe duele mucho la garganta, Daniel.My throat hurts a lot, Daniel.
- Daniel¿Quieres que te traiga pastillas para la tos?Do you want me to bring you some cough drops?
- MaríaSí, por favor, me vendrían muy bien.Yes, please, they would be very helpful.
- DanielVoy a la cocina a buscarlas ahora.I am going to the kitchen to look for them now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, para, tos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
