1. a substance used to treat illness or relieve pain
用於治療疾病或緩解疼痛的物質
The doctor prescribed some medicine for my cough.
醫生為我的咳嗽開了一些藥。
Take this medicine three times a day after meals.
這藥一天吃三次,飯後服用。
指用於治療、預防疾病或改善健康的物質或知識體系。
治療物質
EN: a substance used to treat illness or relieve pain
翻譯: 用於治療疾病或緩解疼痛的物質
醫學領域
EN: the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease
翻譯: 診斷、治療和預防疾病的科學與實踐
民俗療法
EN: a traditional or non-conventional remedy, often from plants
翻譯: 傳統或非傳統的療法,常源自植物
比喻性補救
EN: something that has a healing or beneficial effect (figurative)
翻譯: 具有療癒或有益效果的事物(比喻用法)
小提醒:注意:在英文中,'medicine' 通常指內服或外用的『藥』;而打針用的『藥劑』或化學合成的『藥品』常用 'drug'。在中文裡,『藥』的涵蓋範圍較廣。
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Medicine" from YouTube Videos
Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
Stanford
“It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick.”
1. a substance used to treat illness or relieve pain
用於治療疾病或緩解疼痛的物質
The doctor prescribed some medicine for my cough.
醫生為我的咳嗽開了一些藥。
Take this medicine three times a day after meals.
這藥一天吃三次,飯後服用。
2. the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease
診斷、治療和預防疾病的科學與實踐
She decided to study medicine at university.
她決定在大學攻讀醫學。
Advances in modern medicine have saved countless lives.
現代醫學的進步拯救了無數生命。
3. a substance or treatment believed to have healing power, especially in traditional or non-Western cultures
被認為具有療效的物質或療法,尤指傳統或非西方文化中的
The tribe's shaman used herbs and traditional medicine.
部落的薩滿使用草藥和傳統療法。
Some people prefer alternative medicine to conventional treatments.
有些人偏好另類療法,而非傳統治療。
4. something unpleasant that must be endured for a beneficial effect
為達有益效果而必須忍受的不愉快事物
The economic reforms were a bitter medicine, but necessary for recovery.
經濟改革是一帖苦藥,但對復甦是必要的。
Sometimes the truth is hard medicine to swallow.
有時真相是難以下嚥的苦藥。
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| medicine + for + [condition] | 用於治療某種疾病的藥物 | The doctor prescribed a new medicine for his high blood pressure. (醫生為他的高血壓開了一種新藥。) |
| take + medicine | 服藥 | Remember to take your medicine after breakfast. (記得早餐後服藥。) |
| a dose of medicine | 一劑藥 | The child refused to swallow a dose of the bitter medicine. (那孩子拒絕吞下那劑苦藥。) |
| practice medicine | 行醫 | She decided to practice medicine in a rural community. (她決定在一個農村社區行醫。) |
| alternative/traditional medicine | 替代/傳統醫學 | Many people seek relief through traditional medicine. (許多人透過傳統醫學尋求緩解。) |
| the medicine cabinet | 藥櫃 | The bandages are in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. (繃帶在浴室的藥櫃裡。) |
對比例句: EN: This is a good medicine for headaches. 翻譯: 這是治療頭痛很有效的藥。
EN:He is studying the medicine of ancient China.
翻譯:他正在研究古代中國的醫學(藥物)。
描述治療特定疾病或症狀的藥物時,請使用「medicine for + 疾病」。
medicine vs drug
「medicine」通常指用於治療或預防疾病的藥物,強調其醫療用途;「drug」含義更廣,可指任何藥物(包括非法藥物),在醫療語境中常可互換,但「drug」有時帶有負面含義。
medicine vs medication
「medicine」和「medication」在指「藥物」時幾乎同義,可互換使用。細微差別在於「medicine」也可指「醫學」這門學科,而「medication」則專指「藥物」本身,且聽起來更正式。
medicine vs remedy
「medicine」通常指現代西方醫學的藥物,由專業人員開立;「remedy」含義更廣,可指任何治療方法或物質,包括家庭療法、偏方或補救措施,不一定指現代藥物。
在對話中,當引述或轉述他人關於藥品或治療的建議時,常用 "medicine"。 EN: My doctor said to take the medicine with food. 翻譯: 我的醫生說這藥要隨餐服用。
EN:She keeps telling me, "Just finish your medicine and you'll feel better."
翻譯:她一直跟我說:「把藥吃完你就會好多了。」
在口語中,會透過重音或重複來強調服藥的必要性或重要性。 EN: You have to take your medicine. It's not optional. 翻譯: 你一定要吃藥,這不是可選的。
EN:That's strong medicine, so be careful with the dosage.
翻譯:那是藥效很強的藥,所以劑量要小心。
在思考或組織語句時,有時會用 "medicine" 相關的短語作為填充詞。 EN: So, about your medicine... when are you supposed to take it again? 翻譯: 所以,關於你的藥…你應該什麼時候再吃一次?
EN:The thing with this medicine is... it makes me a bit sleepy.
翻譯:關於這個藥的問題是…它會讓我有點想睡。
正式寫作注意:在學術論文、正式報告或法律文件中,應避免上述口語用法,需使用更精確的術語(如 "pharmaceuticals", "therapeutic agents", "medication regimen")並保持語句結構完整,避免填充詞或過於隨意的引述方式。
take medicine
verb + medicine
服藥
prescribe medicine
verb + medicine
開藥
traditional medicine
adjective + medicine
傳統醫學
modern medicine
adjective + medicine
現代醫學
a dose of medicine
quantifier + of + medicine
一劑藥
practice medicine
verb + medicine
行醫
medicine cabinet
noun + medicine
醫藥櫃
side effects of the medicine
noun + of + medicine
藥物的副作用
×I need to buy some medicines for my cold.
✓I need to buy some medicine for my cold.
In most general contexts, 'medicine' is an uncountable noun referring to the substance used to treat illness. Using the plural 'medicines' is unnatural when referring to treatment in a general sense.
×She is studying medicine to become a pharmacist.
✓She is studying pharmacy to become a pharmacist.
'Medicine' as a field of study refers to becoming a medical doctor (醫師). The study of preparing and dispensing drugs is 'pharmacy'. Confusing these can lead to misunderstandings about someone's profession.
×I took medicine three times a day.
✓I took the medicine three times a day.
When referring to a specific, known medicine (e.g., the one the doctor prescribed), the definite article 'the' is usually required. Omitting it makes the sentence sound general and less natural.
×The police arrested him for selling illegal medicine.
✓The police arrested him for selling illegal drugs.
In English, 'medicine' typically implies a legal substance used for healing. For illegal substances, the correct term is 'drugs'. Using 'medicine' in this context is incorrect and confusing.
×He is on a strong medicine for his heart condition.
✓He is on strong medication for his heart condition.
While 'medicine' is common, in formal or medical contexts, especially when referring to a prescribed course of treatment, 'medication' is often preferred. 'Medication' sounds more precise here.
×My brother does medicine at a famous hospital.
✓My brother practices medicine at a famous hospital.
The verb 'do' is too vague and informal for the professional act of being a doctor. The standard collocations are 'practice medicine' (for doctors) or 'study medicine' (for students).