Meaning and Usage
The word "薬" (くすり) primarily means "medicine" or "drug" in Japanese. It refers to substances used to treat or prevent illness and is commonly used in everyday conversation when talking about health and medical care.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "薬" in contexts related to colds, headaches, or other common ailments. It can refer to both prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Collocations and Patterns
- 薬を飲む (くすりをのむ): to take medicine
- 薬を出す (くすりをだす): to prescribe medicine
- 薬局で薬を買う (やっきょくでくすりをかう): to buy medicine at a pharmacy
Register and Politeness
"薬" is a neutral term and can be used in both casual and formal situations. When speaking politely, you might add "お" as in "お薬" to show respect or soften the tone.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "薬" with "薬品" (やくひん), which is a more formal term for chemical substances or pharmaceuticals. For everyday use, "薬" is sufficient and more natural.