약사
yaksa[ja̠ks͈a̠]
The English word 'pharmacist' is 약사 (yaksa) in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 약제사 (yakjesa).
Meaning: professional who dispenses prescription drugs (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 약사 | yaksa | [ja̠ks͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 약제사 | yakjesa | [ja̠k̚t͡ɕ͈e̞sʰa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term is used to describe a professional who dispenses prescription drugs.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 약사 is composed of 약 (yak), meaning medicine and 사 (sa), meaning professional or specialist.
Which one should you use?
약사 is the standard, modern term for a licensed pharmacist. In contrast, 약제사 is an older or more technical term that is less commonly used in daily conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
yaksa
Did you know?
- The term 약사 is used in Buddhist contexts to mean 'a medicine Buddha', showing the ancient linguistic roots of the word.
- In South Korea, pharmacists are often the first point of contact for minor illnesses because they can recommend over-the-counter medications without a doctor's visit.
- While 약사 refers to a person, the term 약사 can also mean 'brief history' in a completely different Sino-Korean context.
Examples in context
- 제가 약사입니다.I am a pharmacist.
- 약사에게 질문이 있습니다.I have a question for the pharmacist.
- 저는 약사와 함께 일하고 있어요.I work with a pharmacist.
- 약사님, 이 약에 대해 설명 좀 부탁해요.Pharmacist, could you please explain this medication?
- 어떤 약을 사야 할까요? 약사님께 물어봐야겠어요.What medication should I buy? I need to ask the pharmacist.
- 그분은 아주 친절한 약사예요.geubuneun aju chinjeolhan yaksa-yeyo.That person is a very kind pharmacist.
- 약사에게 약에 대해 물어보세요.yaksa-ege yage daehae mureoboseyo.Please ask the pharmacist about the medicine.
- 제 동생은 약사가 되고 싶어 해요.je dongsaengeun yaksa-ga doego sipeo haeyo.My younger sibling wants to become a pharmacist.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are at a local pharmacy.
- 지훈 Ji-hun여기 약사님 계신가요?yeogi yaksa-nim gyesingayo?Is the pharmacist here?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 저기 계세요.ne, jeogi gyeseyo.Yes, they are over there.
- 지훈 Ji-hun약사님, 이 약 어떻게 먹어요?yaksa-nim, i yak eotteoke meogeoyo?Pharmacist, how do I take this medicine?
- 지은 Ji-eun식후에 한 알씩 드세요.sikhue han alsik deuseyo.Take one pill after meals.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pharmacist” translations and entries 약사, 약제사, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 약사, 약제사, CC BY-SA 4.0.
