German Phrase
Vergiss nicht die rezeptfreien Medikamente.
Meaning
‘Don’t forget the over‑the‑counter medicines.’ The sentence is a friendly reminder to take or bring medicines that can be bought without a prescription.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re reminding a travel companion, a family member, or a patient to pack or take non‑prescription drugs, for example before a trip, a hike, or a visit to a doctor’s office.
✦Grammar Breakdown
VergissnichtdierezeptfreienMedikamente
Imperativ (2. Person Singular)
‘Vergiss’ is the imperative form of ‘vergessen’ used for giving a direct command to ‘du’.
Negation with ‘nicht’
‘nicht’ negates the verb phrase and is placed directly after the verb in the imperative.
Definite article ‘die’ (Akkusativ Plural)
Because ‘Medikamente’ is plural and the object of the verb, the article takes the accusative plural form ‘die’.
Adjective declension (weak ending)
‘rezeptfrei’ is an adjective describing ‘Medikamente’; with a definite article in the accusative plural it takes the weak ending ‘-en’ → ‘rezeptfreien’.
Plural noun ‘Medikamente’
‘Medikament’ (medicine) becomes ‘Medikamente’ in the plural; the case is accusative, matching the article.
🗨In Conversation
Vergiss nicht die rezeptfreien Medikamente.
Don’t forget the over‑the‑counter medicines.
Keine Sorge, ich habe sie schon im Rucksack.
Don’t worry, I already have them in my backpack.
✕Common Mistakes
Vergiss die nicht die rezeptfreien Medikamente.
‘nicht’ should directly follow the verb; placing it before the article changes the meaning.
Vergiss nicht die rezeptfrei Medikamente.
The adjective needs the weak ending ‘-en’ after a definite article in the accusative plural.
Vergiss nicht die rezeptfreie Medikament.
‘Medikament’ must be plural ‘Medikamente’ because ‘die’ is plural accusative.
↔Alternatives
Denk dran, die frei verkäuflichen Medikamente mitzunehmen.
Remember to take the freely sold medicines with you.
Vergiss nicht, die Medikamente ohne Rezept einzupacken.
Don’t forget to pack the medicines that don’t need a prescription.
Bitte die rezeptfreien Medikamente nicht vergessen.
Please don’t forget the over‑the‑counter medicines.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries the term ‘rezeptfrei’ (or ‘frei verkäuflich’) is the standard way to describe medicines you can buy without a doctor’s prescription. Pharmacies (Apotheken) usually have a separate counter for these items, and it’s common to ask the pharmacist for ‘rezeptfreie Medikamente’ if you need something for a headache or a cold while traveling.