How to Say "Pills" in Japanese

薬

kusuri[kɯ̟̊sɨɾʲi]

The English phrase 'pills' is expressed in Japanese as 薬 (kusuri).

The word 薬 is the general term for medicine or drug in Japanese.

Which one should you use?

薬 is a general term for any medicine. In contrast, 錠剤 is the specific technical term used to refer to tablets or pills.

kusuri

While 薬 is used for pills, the word 薬味 (yakumi) refers to condiments like grated ginger or wasabi used to enhance the flavor of food.
The term 薬 is used in the idiom 薬になる, which literally means 'to become medicine' but actually means 'to be beneficial' or 'to be a good lesson'.
The term 薬 is historically linked to the concept of the mystical. It is believed to be a descendant of the ancient adjective 奇し, which means 'mystical' or 'wondrous', reflecting a time when healing was viewed as supernatural.

薬の時間だ。
It's time to take my pills.
This sentence shows how to indicate it is time to take one's 薬.
Tatoeba #11998683 by small_snow, translation #9662912 by DJ_Saidez
薬を飲むの忘れないでよ。
Don't forget to take your pills.
This sentence is a reminder not to forget to take one's 薬.
Tatoeba #8907767 by bunbuku, translation #2240155 by Hybrid
睡眠薬を飲んでみたことある？
Have you ever tried taking sleeping pills?
This sentence uses 薬 to refer to sleeping pills.
Tatoeba #11658138 by bunbuku, translation #12377012 by CK
私は風邪薬を飲んでいます。
I am taking cold medicine (pills).
健康のために、錠剤を一日三回飲んでください。
Please take the tablets three times a day for your health.
ピルは病院で処方してもらえますか？
Can I get birth control pills prescribed at the hospital?
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yota is asking Misaki if she has her medication with her.

Sources

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