Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pastilla | /pasˈtiʝa/ | feminine |
| píldora | /ˈpildoɾa/ | feminine |
| comprimido | /kompɾiˈmido/ | masculine |
| tableta | /taˈbleta/ | feminine |
All the provided terms refer to a small object intended for swallowing. When talking about consuming a pill, use the verb tomar (to take) instead of llevar (to carry). For example, you would say tomar una pastilla to mean "to take a pill".
Which one should you use?
While all these words mean pill, pastilla is the most common everyday term for a pill or tablet in most Spanish-speaking countries. In contrast, píldora is often used specifically in the context of "the pill" (the contraceptive pill) or in more formal or literary contexts. For a more technical or pharmaceutical sense, such as what a doctor might say or what you see on medical packaging, use comprimido, which specifically refers to a compressed tablet.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Colombia or Venezuela, the word cápsula is commonly used to refer specifically to a pill that is capsule-shaped.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The words pastilla, píldora and tableta are feminine nouns, while comprimido is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/pasˈtiʝa/
Did you know?
- While pastilla refers to a pill, it is also used in some regions to describe a small bar of soap.
- In Spanish, the word pastilla can be used metaphorically in the phrase tragar una pastilla, meaning to accept an unpleasant truth.
- The word pastilla shares a common ancestor with the word 'pasta', as both derive from terms meaning 'dough' or 'paste'.
Examples in context
- Tom tragó la pastilla.Tom swallowed the pill.This sentence demonstrates the use of pastilla to describe swallowing a pill.Tatoeba #3029007 by hayastan, translation #2645757 by CK
- Una píldora para cada enfermedad.A pill for every ill.This sentence shows the use of píldora in a descriptive context.Tatoeba #809322 by Shishir, translation #674885 by darinmex
- Debería haber tomado la pastilla azul.I should have taken the blue pill.This sentence uses pastilla to identify a specific pill.Tatoeba #3778696 by Seael, translation #2718644 by Hybrid
- Toma una pastilla después de cada comida.Take one pill after each meal.
- No olvides tomar tus píldoras antes de irte a la cama.Don't forget to take your pills before going to bed.
- El médico me recetó una cápsula para controlar el colesterol.The doctor prescribed me a capsule to control cholesterol.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena is looking for her medication in the kitchen.
- Daniel¿Buscas algo, Elena?Are you looking for something, Elena?
- ElenaSí, no encuentro mi pastilla.Yes, I can't find my pill.
- DanielCreo que la dejaste en la mesa.I think you left it on the table.
- ElenaGracias, Daniel, la encontré.Thanks, Daniel, I found it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pill” translations and entries pastilla, píldora, comprimido, tableta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pastilla, píldora, tableta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
