"Pastilla" is a noun.
/pasˈti.ʎa/
In Spanish, "pastilla" refers to a small, typically round or oval medicinal tablet or pill that is swallowed or chewed for therapeutic effects. It is commonly used in both medical contexts to denote medications and in general conversations to refer to any kind of tablet. The frequency of use is moderate; it is more prominent in written contexts such as medical charts, discussions about health, or instructions for medication, but it also appears in oral speech.
Ella se tomó una pastilla para el dolor de cabeza.
She took a pill for her headache.
El médico le recomendó una pastilla para la tos.
The doctor recommended a lozenge for the cough.
No olvides tomar la pastilla antes de dormir.
Don’t forget to take the tablet before sleeping.
"Pastilla" is not frequently found in many fixed idiomatic expressions, but here are some colloquialisms or phrases where it might occur:
Poner una pastilla en el agua.
To put a pill in the water.
(Used metaphorically to mean introducing a problem subtly.)
Pasar como pastilla de agua.
To pass like a water pill.
(Meaning to pass quickly or unnoticed.)
Tomar la pastilla por la mano.
To take the pill by the hand.
(Refers to taking responsibility for something, often used in discussions about health.)
A veces la pastilla es más amarga.
Sometimes the pill is more bitter.
(This suggests that some truths or decisions are difficult to accept.)
La pastilla de la vida.
The pill of life.
(This refers to the essential things that sustain us whether in a physical or metaphorical health context.)
The word "pastilla" comes from the Latin "pasta" which means "paste" or "dough," referring to the way tablets or pills are often formed. This etymology reflects the initial method used to create medicinal forms that resemble dough or paste.
In summary, "pastilla" is a versatile term used primarily in medical and general conversations in Spanish, maintaining a significant presence both in speech and writing. Its meanings range from straightforward definitions to more intricate idiomatic uses that illustrate its impact and depth in the language.