preparation / specimen
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preparation
A substance prepared for medical or pharmaceutical purposes, for example a medication or a vaccine.
Dieses Präparat ist rezeptpflichtig und nur in der Apotheke erhältlich.
This preparation requires a prescription and is only available at the pharmacy.
specimen / slide
An object that has been prepared for scientific examination, especially for viewing under a microscope.
Die Schüler lernten, wie man ein mikroskopisches Präparat einer Pflanzenzelle herstellt.
The students learned how to prepare a microscopic slide of a plant cell.
preparation
A prepared product for cosmetic use, for example a cream or lotion for skin care.
Für ihre Hautpflege verwendet sie ein teures kosmetisches Präparat.
She uses an expensive cosmetic preparation for her skin care.
'Das Präparat' (preparation/specimen) is derived from the verb 'präparieren' (to prepare). A Präparat is therefore always something that has been carefully prepared or produced for a specific purpose, whether for medicine, science, or cosmetics.
Der Biologe präpariert eine Zelle für die Untersuchung.
The biologist prepares a cell for examination.
The context makes clear what kind of Präparat is meant. Words like 'Arzt' (doctor) or 'Apotheke' (pharmacy) point to a medication, 'Mikroskop' (microscope) or 'Labor' (laboratory) to a scientific object, and 'Haut' (skin) or 'Creme' (cream) to a cosmetic product.
Der Arzt verschrieb mir ein Präparat gegen die Schmerzen.
The doctor prescribed me a preparation for the pain.
In a medical context, a Präparat is often 'eingenommen' (taken), 'verschrieben' (prescribed), or 'entwickelt' (developed). People also speak of a 'rezeptpflichtiges' (prescription-only) or 'pflanzliches' (herbal) Präparat.
Dieses Präparat dürfen Sie nur nach Rücksprache mit Ihrem Arzt einnehmen.
You may take this preparation only after consulting your doctor.
In science, a Präparat is 'hergestellt' (prepared), 'angefertigt' (made), or 'betrachtet' (observed) for an examination. It is often connected with a microscope or an analysis.
Für die Prüfung musste jeder Student ein eigenes Präparat anfertigen.
For the exam, each student had to make their own specimen.
medication
Medikament is used to refer to something by its effect of curing, relieving, or preventing symptoms. Präparat places more emphasis on a medical product that has been manufactured and prepared in a particular form. Medikament fits when talking about the treatment, while Präparat can also be used when its composition or dosage form is relevant.
Der Arzt verschrieb ihr ein Präparat als Spray, das die Beschwerden schnell lindern soll.
The doctor prescribed her a preparation in the form of a spray that is supposed to relieve the symptoms quickly.
Der Arzt gab ihr ein Medikament, das die Beschwerden schnell lindern soll.
The doctor gave her a medication that is supposed to relieve the symptoms quickly.
