服用

• Pinyin: fú yòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 服 = 月 + 攴 (comply, wear); 用 = 月 (use, employ)

Meaning

To take (medicine or drugs); to consume a substance orally as prescribed or directed.

Used specifically for consuming medicine, supplements, or other substances orally. More formal than 吃药. Common in medical and pharmaceutical contexts.

Examples

1. 医生建议每日三次服用这种药片。 The doctor recommended taking these tablets three times a day.
2. 患者应按时服用处方药物，不得随意增减剂量。 Patients should take prescription medication on schedule and must not change the dosage on their own.
3. 长期服用此类药品可能产生一定的副作用。 Long-term use of this kind of medication may cause certain side effects.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, pharmaceutical

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 按照医嘱定时服用药物。(Take the medicine on time as instructed by the doctor.)
• 这种保健品每天只需服用一粒。(Only one tablet of this supplement needs to be taken per day.)

Don't Say

• 服用了一顿饭 — 服用 applies to medicine or substances only, not food; use 吃 for meals

Origin & History

服 (comply/take) + 用 (use)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal