How to Say "Bandaid" in Japanese

絆創膏

bansōkō[bã̠ɰ̃so̞ːko̞ː]

The English phrase "bandaid" is translated into Japanese as 絆創膏 (bansōkō).

The term refers to a small, adhesive strip used to cover and protect a minor cut or wound.

What does it mean word for word?

The word 絆創膏 is composed of characters meaning 'bond/connection' (絆), 'wound/cut' (創) and 'paste/ointment' (膏).

絆創膏 is the formal or technical term. In daily conversation, the katakana loanword バンドエイド is commonly used colloquially.

bansōkō

The character 絆 in 絆創膏 also means 'emotional bond' or 'ties' and is often used in literature to describe the unbreakable connection between people.
In Japan, it is common to see 'character bandages' featuring Pokémon or Sanrio characters even for adults, as they are viewed as a way to provide psychological comfort.
The term 絆 gained massive cultural prominence across Japan after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake to describe the strength of community ties during recovery.

念のため絆創膏を持っていきましょう。
Let's bring band-aids just in case.
絆創膏を貼ってください。
Bansōkō o hatte kudasai.
Please apply a bandaid.
絆創膏はどこにありますか？
Bansōkō wa doko ni arimasu ka?
Where are the bandaids?
新しい絆創膏を一枚ください。
Atarashii bansōkō o ichimai kudasai.
Please give me one new bandaid.

Misaki is helping Kenta in the kitchen after he cut his finger.

美咲 Misaki

大丈夫？絆創膏を貼るね。
Daijōbu? Bansōkō o haru ne.
Are you okay? I'll put a bandaid on.
健太 Kenta

ありがとう、美咲。少し痛いよ。
Arigatō, Misaki. Sukoshi itai yo.
Thanks, Misaki. It hurts a little.
美咲 Misaki

この絆創膏は防水だよ。
Kono bansōkō wa bōsui da yo.
This bandaid is waterproof.
健太 Kenta

助かるよ。ありがとう。
Tasukaru yo. Arigatō.
That helps. Thanks.

Sources

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