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道Nihongo Path
薬

薬·medicine, drug

On-yomi
ヤク
Kun-yomi
くすり

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

16 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
薬くすりmedicine
薬局やっきょくpharmacy
目薬めぐすりeye drops
薬屋くすりやdrugstore

Example sentences

  1. 食事の後で薬を飲んでください。

    しょくじのあとでくすりをのんでください。

    Please take your medicine after meals.

  2. 駅の前の薬局で買えます。

    えきのまえのやっきょくでかえます。

    You can buy it at the pharmacy in front of the station.

  3. 目が痛いので、目薬をさしました。

    めがいたいので、めぐすりをさしました。

    My eyes hurt, so I put in some eye drops.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Saying 薬を食べる — medicine is 飲む in Japanese, even in tablet form
  • Reading 薬局 as *やくきょく instead of やっきょく

Memory aid

Picture it

Grass (艹) growing over 楽 (comfort): the plant that makes you feel better — medicine.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 薬 mean?