Translation guide
In Japanese, 'cough medicine' is most commonly expressed as 咳止め (sekidome), which literally means 'cough stopper'. This is the standard term used in pharmacies and daily conversation. Other related terms exist for specific forms like syrups or herbal remedies.
The speaker wants to refer to medicine specifically for stopping or relieving a cough, such as tablets, capsules, or liquid.
The most common and direct translation. It can refer to any form of cough suppressant.
咳止めを飲みました。
I took some cough medicine.
この咳止めはよく効きます。
This cough medicine works well.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'medicine for cough'. It is easily understood but slightly less common than 咳止め.
咳の薬を探しています。
I'm looking for cough medicine.
The speaker specifically wants a liquid cough medicine, often sweetened and taken by spoon.
The standard term for cough syrup. Combines 咳止め (cough medicine) with シロップ (syrup).
咳止めシロップを買ってきてください。
Please buy some cough syrup.
A shorter, casual way to say cough syrup. Common in everyday speech.
咳シロップが切れた。
We're out of cough syrup.
The speaker is referring to a natural or kampo (traditional Japanese) medicine for cough.
Refers to kampo (traditional Japanese herbal medicine) that is effective for cough. Often used when seeking natural remedies.
咳に効く漢方薬はありますか？
Do you have any herbal medicine for cough?
When asking for cough medicine at a Japanese pharmacy, you can simply say 「咳止めをください」 (sekidome o kudasai). The pharmacist may ask about your symptoms (e.g., dry cough or wet cough) to recommend the right product.
咳止め (sekidome) generally refers to internal medicine like pills or syrups. For cough drops or lozenges, use のど飴 (nodo ame, throat candy) or トローチ (toroochi, lozenge).