약국
yakguk[ja̠k̚k͈uk̚]
The English word 'pharmacy' is translated into Korean as 약국 (yakguk). Wiktionary also lists 약방 (yakbang).
Meaning: a place where prescription drugs are dispensed (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 약국 | yakguk | [ja̠k̚k͈uk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 약방 | yakbang | [ja̠k̚p͈a̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word refers to a place where prescription drugs are dispensed.
Which one should you use?
약국 is the standard modern term for a pharmacy, whereas 약방 is an archaic or old-fashioned way to refer to one.
How do you pronounce it?
yakguk
When do people say it?
In South Korea, green crosses illuminated at night are a well-known symbol for pharmacies.
Did you know?
- In Korea, pharmacies are often clustered together in the same building or street as the clinic that prescribes the medicine to make the transition faster for patients.
- Korean pharmacists often provide detailed verbal instructions on how to take medication, even if those exact directions are already printed on the packaging.
- The character 약 (yak) used in 약국 is a homonym that also means 'weak' or 'fragile' in other contexts.
Examples in context
- 이 근처에 약국 있어요?Is there a pharmacy nearby?This sentence is useful for asking if there is a pharmacy nearby using 약국.Tatoeba #4965205 by rainbow4us, translation #1078081 by keira_n
- 약국이 어디 있나요?Where is the pharmacy?
- 약국에서 약을 샀어요.yakguk-eseo yag-eul sasseoyo.I bought medicine at the pharmacy.
- 저 약국은 늦게까지 해요.jeo yakguk-eun neutge-kkaji haeyo.That pharmacy is open late.
Example conversation
Dohyun is looking for a place to buy medicine in a busy street.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨, 근처에 약국이 어디에 있어요?Seoyeon ssi, geuncheo-e yakguk-i eodi-e isseoyo?Seoyeon, where is a pharmacy nearby?
- 서연 Seo-yeon저기 편의점 옆에 약국이 있어요.Jeogi pyeon-uijeom yeop-e yakguk-i isseoyo.There is a pharmacy next to the convenience store over there.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그 약국이 지금 문을 열었나요?Geu yakguk-i jigeum mun-eul yeoreot-nayo?Is that pharmacy open now?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 아마 지금도 운영할 거예요.Ne, ama jigeum-do unyeong-hal geoyeyo.Yes, it is probably operating right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pharmacy” translations and entries 약국, 약방, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
