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服用 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
服用fúyòngto take (medicine)HSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #4488, Hard
fúyòng(fu2yong4) T2
  1. 1to take (medicine)
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March 24, 2026

服用fúyòng(fu2yong4)

The term '服用' refers specifically to the act of taking or consuming medicine or medication. It is commonly used in medical contexts, such as instructions for patients on how to properly take their prescribed drugs.

Strokes13Frequency#4488DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, taking medicine is often associated with traditional practices, such as herbal remedies, as well as modern Western medicine. Understanding the context of '服用' can help learners appreciate the blend of these health practices.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person holding a '服' (fú) like a uniform or a clothing item, which you '用' (yòng) or use to cover yourself. When you '服用' medicine, you are 'clothing' your body with health through medication.

Meanings of 服用

fúyòng(fu2yong4)
1to take (medicine)
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About 服用

服用Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 服用

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Podcast: 服用

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AI Study Notes for 服用

Quick Contrast

服用 (take medicine) vs 吃 (eat) — use 服用 when specifically referring to medication, not general food.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '服用' since mispronouncing it can change the meaning. This term is typically used in formal contexts, such as medical prescriptions or health discussions, rather than in casual conversation. Common collocations include '服用药物' (take medication) and '正确服用' (take correctly).

HSK Study Tips

Though not explicitly listed in HSK levels, '服用' is relevant for learners at HSK 4 or higher due to its connection to health vocabulary. Students should focus on understanding how to use it in sentences related to health and medicine.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '服用' with '使用' (to use), which is broader and can refer to using objects, not just medicine. For example, saying '我使用药物' (I use medicine) may not convey the same meaning as '服用药物'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 服用

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Component Characters

服fúclothes
HSK 68 strokes月
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用yòngto use
HSK 35 strokes用
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How to say to take (medicine) in Chinese

“to take (medicine)” in Chinese is服用fúyòng

The term '服用' refers specifically to the act of taking or consuming medicine or medication. It is commonly used in medical contexts, such as instructions for patients on how to properly take their prescribed drugs.

When to use 服用

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '服用' since mispronouncing it can change the meaning. This term is typically used in formal contexts, such as medical prescriptions or health discussions, rather than in casual conversation. Common collocations include '服用药物' (take medication) and '正确服用' (take correctly).

服用 or something close to it

服用 (take medicine) vs 吃 (eat) — use 服用 when specifically referring to medication, not general food.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '服用' with '使用' (to use), which is broader and can refer to using objects, not just medicine. For example, saying '我使用药物' (I use medicine) may not convey the same meaning as '服用药物'.

Write 服用

服
用

Practice writing 服用 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 服用

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, the concept of taking medicine may often emphasize individual choice and responsibility, whereas in Chinese culture, it can also involve family members or traditional beliefs influencing medication use.

Frequently Asked Questions about 服用

While both refer to taking medicine, '服用' is more formal and is typically used in medical contexts, whereas '吃药' is more casual and literally means 'eat medicine'.

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