01
das Schmerzmittel
painkiller
A medication that is taken to relieve or eliminate pain.
example
Nach der Operation bekam der Patient ein starkes Schmerzmittel.
After the operation, the patient was given a strong painkiller.
das Schmerzmittel
painkiller
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is a clear compound made up of 'der Schmerz' (pain) and 'das Mittel' (remedy/agent). The 's' in between is a linking sound that connects the two words. Literally, it is a 'Mittel gegen Schmerz' (remedy for pain).
EXAMPLE
Gegen Kopfschmerzen hilft oft ein einfaches Schmerzmittel.
A simple painkiller often helps with headaches.
Typical verbs
The most common verbs used with 'Schmerzmittel' (painkiller) are 'einnehmen' (to take), 'brauchen' (to need), 'bekommen' (to get), or 'verschreiben' (to prescribe, when a doctor does it).
EXAMPLE
Man sollte Schmerzmittel nicht ohne ärztlichen Rat einnehmen.
You shouldn't take painkillers without medical advice.
Typical adjectives
Painkillers are often described more precisely, for example as 'stark' (strong), 'schwach' (weak), 'leicht' (mild), or 'pflanzlich' (herbal). The distinction between 'rezeptfreien' (over-the-counter) and 'verschreibungspflichtigen' (prescription-only) painkillers is also important.
EXAMPLE
In der Apotheke können Sie rezeptfreie Schmerzmittel kaufen.
You can buy over-the-counter painkillers at the pharmacy.
Compare with
Schmerzmittel vs Betäubungsmittel
anesthetic / narcotic
'Schmerzmittel' and 'Betäubungsmittel' both have to do with pain and medicine, but they are not the same. You take a 'Schmerzmittel' (painkiller) to relieve pain, for example for a headache or after an injury. A 'Betäubungsmittel' (anesthetic) blocks the sensation of pain more strongly or is used for anesthesia. The word can also refer to illegal drugs. The words can be confused because some medical substances work against pain. In everyday language, for pills against normal pain, people usually say 'Schmerzmittel'. 'Betäubungsmittel' sounds much more specific and is used more in medicine, law, or in connection with drugs.
Schmerzmittel
Nach der Zahnbehandlung nimmt Lisa ein Schmerzmittel gegen die starken Schmerzen.
After the dental treatment, Lisa takes a painkiller for the severe pain.
Betäubungsmittel
Vor der Operation erklärt die Ärztin, welches Betäubungsmittel verwendet wird.
Before the operation, the doctor explains which anesthetic will be used.
In real life
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