01
die Pille
the pill
A colloquial term for the birth control pill, a hormonal contraceptive for women.
example
Viele junge Frauen verhüten mit der Pille.
Many young women use the pill for contraception.
die Pille
pill
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context clue
The article gives an important clue about the meaning. 'Die Pille' (the pill) with the definite article almost always means the birth control pill. 'Eine Pille' (a pill) with the indefinite article, on the other hand, refers to any tablet.
EXAMPLE
Ihre Ärztin hat ihr die Pille verschrieben.
Her doctor prescribed her the pill.
Typical verbs
In connection with the birth control pill, the typical verbs are 'die Pille nehmen' (to take the pill regularly) and 'die Pille absetzen' (to stop taking the pill).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat vor einem Jahr die Pille abgesetzt.
She stopped taking the pill a year ago.
Usage pattern
When talking about a general pill as medication, the purpose is often added with the preposition 'gegen' (against/for) and the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich brauche eine Pille gegen meine Allergie.
I need a pill for my allergy.
Fixed expression
The expression 'eine bittere Pille schlucken' (to swallow a bitter pill) is a fixed idiom. It means that you have to accept very unpleasant news or a very unpleasant fact.
EXAMPLE
Die Niederlage war eine bittere Pille für die ganze Mannschaft.
The defeat was a bitter pill for the whole team.
Compare with
Pille vs Medikament
medication
'das Medikament' and 'die Pille' can both mean something you take for medical reasons. 'Medikament' is neutral and general. 'Pille' is narrower and usually colloquial: it can mean a small tablet to swallow. Very often, however, 'die Pille' specifically means the birth control pill. That is why the words can easily be confused. If you are talking generally about a remedy for an illness, 'Medikament' is safer. 'Pille' only fits when the form or the birth control pill is meant.
Pille
Beim Frühstück nimmt sie jeden Morgen die Pille.
At breakfast, she takes the pill every morning.
Medikament
Auf Reisen nehme ich immer mein Medikament gegen Allergien mit.
When I travel, I always take my allergy medication with me.
In real life
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