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
Both words can refer to something used to treat pain. A Schmerzmittel relieves pain, whereas a Betäubungsmittel blocks the sensation of pain and, in medicine, can also induce anesthesia. For ordinary pain, Schmerzmittel is usually the right word; for medical sedation or anesthesia, use Betäubungsmittel.
Schmerzmittel
Nach der Verletzung nahm sie ein Schmerzmittel, weil ihr Knie stark wehtat.
After the injury, she took a painkiller because her knee hurt badly.
Betäubungsmittel
Vor der Operation gab der Arzt dem Patienten ein Betäubungsmittel.
Before the operation, the doctor gave the patient an anesthetic.
In real life
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