薬局
yakkyoku[ja̠k̚ʲkʲo̞kɯ̟]
The English word 'pharmacy' is translated into Japanese as 薬局 (yakkyoku). Wiktionary also lists 薬屋 (kusuriya).
Meaning: a place where prescription drugs are dispensed (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 薬局 | yakkyoku | [ja̠k̚ʲkʲo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 薬屋 | kusuriya | [kɯ̟̊sɨɾʲija̠] (narrow) |
While 薬局 is the standard term for a modern pharmacy, you may encounter the more specific term 調剤薬局 (chōzai yakkyoku) when referring specifically to a dispensing pharmacy that handles prescriptions from doctors.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 薬局 is composed of 薬 (medicine) and 局 (office or bureau).
Which one should you use?
薬局 is the standard term used for modern pharmacies. In contrast, 薬屋 sounds more like a small, traditional local medicine shop.
How do you pronounce it?
yakkyoku
Did you know?
- Japanese has a category called 第一類医薬品 for powerful medicines that can be bought at a 薬局 without a prescription but only after a pharmacist's consultation.
- The character 局 in 薬局 is also used for the 'post office' 郵便局, as both are seen as official bureaus or administrative hubs.
- The kanji 調 in 調剤薬局 can also mean 'to investigate' or 'to harmonize', reflecting the pharmacist's role in balancing ingredients to create a perfect remedy.
Examples in context
- この近くに薬局はありますか？Is there a pharmacy nearby?This sentence is useful for asking if there is a pharmacy nearby using 薬局.Tatoeba #3554825 by tommy_san, translation #1078081 by keira_n
- 薬局は病院から遠くないですよ。The pharmacy isn't far from the hospital.This sentence is useful for stating that the pharmacy is not far from the hospital using 薬局.Tatoeba #11456092 by bunbuku, translation #3367347 by _undertoad
- ここから一番近い薬局はどこですか。Where's the nearest pharmacy?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the nearest pharmacy using 薬局.Tatoeba #224774 by bunbuku, translation #62109 by CK
- 薬局はどこですか (Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka)Where is the pharmacy?
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are at a clinic and just finished their consultation.
- 陽太 Yota処方箋を持って、薬局へ行きましょう。Shohousen o motte, yakkyoku e ikimashou.Let's take the prescription and go to the pharmacy.
- 結衣 Yui薬局はどこにありますか？Yakkyoku wa doko ni arimasu ka?Where is the pharmacy?
- 陽太 Yotaあそこの角を曲がったところにあります。Asoko no kado o magatta tokoro ni arimasu.It's just around that corner.
- 結衣 Yuiわかりました。ありがとうございます。Wakarimashita. Arigatou gozaimasu.I understand. Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pharmacy” translations and entries 薬局, 薬屋, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
