receta
/reˈθeta/feminine
The English phrase 'prescription' is translated into Spanish as receta.
In a medical context, a prescription is a written order for the administration of medicine. Because the word receta is also used to mean a cooking recipe, you can add the adjective médica to specify that you are talking about a medical prescription (e.g., receta médica). Additionally, the word recetario can refer specifically to a doctor's prescription pad or a book containing recipes.
Meaning: written order for the administration of a medicine (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word receta is polysemous, meaning it can refer to both a medical prescription and a cooking recipe. To distinguish between them, use receta médica for the former.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, receta médica is the most common term used for a prescription. In Colombia, fórmula médica is the term used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form receta is a feminine noun. Its plural form is recetas.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈθeta/
Did you know?
- The word receta shares the same linguistic root as the English word 'receipt', as both derive from the Latin 'recepta', meaning things received or taken.
- Because receta means both 'prescription' and 'recipe', a pharmacist might jokingly ask if you are trying to cook your medication if the context is unclear.
- In some Latin American contexts, the term recetario can refer to a professional's personal archive of preferred treatments rather than just a pad of paper.
Examples in context
- Déjame ver tu receta médica.Let me see your prescription.This sentence is useful for asking to see a receta.Tatoeba #2003588 by camilou, translation #266988 by CM
- El médico me dio una receta.The doctor gave me a prescription.This sentence is useful for stating that a doctor gave you a receta.Tatoeba #6619908 by arh, translation #9814533 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Ve al médico a que te dé la receta!Go to the doctor to get your prescription!This sentence is useful for telling someone to go to the doctor to get their receta.Tatoeba #13555764 by Seael, translation #74001 by CM
- Necesito una receta médica para comprar estos medicamentos.I need a prescription to purchase these medicines.
- El médico me dio una fórmula médica para mi tratamiento.The doctor gave me a prescription for my treatment.
- Olvidé traer la receta del doctor, ¿me la podrían hacer de nuevo?I forgot to bring the doctor's prescription, could you make it again for me?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena is at the pharmacy with Alejandro.
- ElenaTengo la receta para el medicamento.I have the prescription for the medicine.
- AlejandroMuy bien, dásela al farmacéutico.Very well, give it to the pharmacist.
- Elena¿Crees que la receta sea válida todavía?Do you think the prescription is still valid?
- AlejandroSí, Alejandro cree que sí.Yes, Alejandro thinks so.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prescription” translations and entries receta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries receta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
