Readings: ヤク (Onyomi), くすり (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Medicine, Drug, Chemical
The kanji 薬 is composed of the radical 艹 (kusa-kanmuri), meaning “grass” or “herb,” placed over 楽 (raku), meaning “music,” “comfort,” or “ease.” This combination suggests that ancient medicines were often made from herbs (grass) and were intended to bring comfort or ease from ailments.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 薬 has 9 strokes. It starts with the grass radical (艹) on top, followed by the strokes for 楽 below. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke for proper writing.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 艹 (くさかんむり) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 9 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- 薬 (yaku)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- 薬 (kusuri)
Common Words Using 薬
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 薬局 | やっきょく | pharmacy |
| 薬品 | やくひん | chemicals, drugs |
| 薬剤師 | やくざいし | pharmacist |
| 薬草 | やくそう | medicinal herb |
| 漢方薬 | かんぽうやく | Chinese herbal medicine |
| 特効薬 | とっこうやく | specific medicine, wonder drug |
| 毒薬 | どくやく | poison |
| 劇薬 | げきやく | powerful drug, potent medicine |
| 内服薬 | ないふくやく | internal medicine |
| 座薬 | ざやく | suppository |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 薬 | くすり | medicine, drug |
| 目薬 | めぐすり | eye drops |
| 飲み薬 | のみぐすり | oral medicine |
| 塗り薬 | ぬりぐすり | ointment |
| 風邪薬 | かぜぐすり | cold medicine |
| 胃薬 | いぐすり | stomach medicine |
| 置き薬 | おきぐすり | household medicine kit |
| 薬屋 | くすりや | drugstore |
| 薬指 | くすりゆび | ring finger |
| 薬箱 | くすりばこ | medicine box/chest |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この薬はよく効きます。
Kana: このくすりはよくききます。
Romaji: Kono kusuri wa yoku kikimasu.
English: This medicine works well.
Japanese: 風邪薬を飲んで寝ました。
Kana: かぜぐすりをのんでねました。
Romaji: Kazegusuri o nonde nemashita.
English: I took cold medicine and went to sleep.
Japanese: 食後に薬を飲んでください。
Kana: しょくごにくすりをのんでください。
Romaji: Shokugo ni kusuri o nonde kudasai.
English: Please take the medicine after meals.
Japanese: 目薬をさしてください。
Kana: めぐすりをさしてください。
Romaji: Megusuri o sashite kudasai.
English: Please put in eye drops.
Japanese: この塗り薬は痒みによく効きます。
Kana: このぬりぐすりわかゆみによくききます。
Romaji: Kono nurigusuri wa kayumi ni yoku kikimasu.
English: This ointment is very effective for itching.
Japanese: 薬局はどこですか？
Kana: やっきょくはどこですか？
Romaji: Yakkyoku wa doko desu ka?
English: Where is the pharmacy?
Japanese: 薬剤師に相談しました。
Kana: やくざいしにそうだんしました。
Romaji: Yakuzaishi ni sōdan shimashita.
English: I consulted with a pharmacist.
Japanese: 化学薬品は取り扱いに注意が必要です。
Kana: かがくやくひんはとりあつかいにちゅういがひつようです。
Romaji: Kagaku yakuhin wa toriatsukai ni chūi ga hitsuyō desu.
English: Care must be taken when handling chemical substances.
Japanese: 彼は睡眠薬を常用しています。
Kana: かれはすいみんやくをじょうようしています。
Romaji: Kare wa suimin’yaku o jōyō shiteimasu.
English: He regularly takes sleeping pills.
Japanese: 漢方薬は体に優しいと言われています。
Kana: かんぽうやくはからだにやさしいといわれています。
Romaji: Kanpōyaku wa karada ni yasashii to iwareteimasu.
English: Chinese herbal medicine is said to be gentle on the body.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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