thuốc
[tʰuək̚˧˦]
The Vietnamese word for medicine is thuốc.
thuốc refers to a substance used to promote healing.
Meaning: substance which promotes healing (noun)
Which one should you use?
While thuốc is the general term, you can be more specific about the type of medicine: thuốc tây refers specifically to Western-style pharmaceutical medicine, whereas thuốc bắc refers to traditional Chinese or Northern herbal medicine and thuốc nam refers to traditional Vietnamese or Southern herbal medicine.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When you want to say you are 'taking' medicine, do not use the verbs lấy (to take/grab) or dùng (to use). The most natural way to express the action of consuming medicine is to use the verb uống.
Did you know?
- While thuốc means 'medicine', it is also the word used for 'tobacco'. A cigarette is called điếu thuốc, literally a 'medicine pipe'.
- The word thuốc shares the same root as the word for 'poison' in Chinese. In ancient contexts, the line between a cure and a toxin was often seen as a matter of dosage.
- In traditional medicine, thuốc nam typically emphasizes using fresh, local plants found in the Vietnamese countryside, whereas thuốc bắc often uses dried imports from China.
Examples in context
- Thuốc đắng dã tật.A good medicine tastes bitter.This sentence illustrates a common Vietnamese proverb regarding the bitterness of thuốc.Tatoeba #8990230 by dotheduyet1999, translation #325899 by CM
- Bạn phải uống thuốc!You must take the medicine!This sentence shows how to use the verb with thuốc to express a command to take it.Tatoeba #9415810 by dotheduyet1999, translation #1558835 by FiRez
- Làm ơn nhắc tôi uống thuốc.Please remind me to take my medicine.This sentence demonstrates a polite request to be reminded to take thuốc.Tatoeba #11434717 by chaule3, translation #10784781 by CK
- Chị có thể mua thuốc cho tôi không?Could you buy medicine for me?
- Cần đặt hàng dược phẩm từ nhà thuốcWe need to order medicine from the pharmacy.
- Anh có uống thuốc bổ không?Do you take any health supplements?
- Tôi đi lấy đơn thuốc từ bác sĩ.I'm going to get the prescription from the doctor.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Lan are talking at home about Lan's health.
- HùngLan thấy trong người thế nào rồi?How are you feeling, Lan?
- LanTôi vẫn còn mệt, tôi cần uống thuốc.I'm still tired, I need to take medicine.
- HùngAnh sẽ đi mua thuốc cho em ngay.I will go buy medicine for you right away.
- LanCảm ơn anh, Hùng.Thank you, Hung.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “medicine” translations and entries thuốc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries thuốc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
