Translation guide
In Japanese, 'liquid medicine' is commonly expressed with specific words depending on the type and context. The most general term is 水薬 (すいやく), but in everyday conversation, people often refer to liquid medicine by its specific form, such as シロップ (syrup) or 目薬 (eye drops).
The broad concept of medicine in liquid form, as opposed to pills or powders.
The standard term for liquid medicine in medical or pharmaceutical contexts. It is a formal word and may not be used in casual conversation.
この水薬は食後に飲んでください。
Please take this liquid medicine after meals.
A technical term for liquid preparations, used in pharmaceutical contexts. Less common in everyday language.
液剤は内服薬の一種です。
Liquid preparations are a type of oral medicine.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'liquid medicine'. It is easily understood but not a fixed term; used when explaining or contrasting with solid forms.
液体の薬は苦手です。
I don't like liquid medicine.
Sweetened liquid medicine, often for children, or any oral liquid in a bottle.
Commonly used for cough syrup or children's liquid medicine. This is the most natural word in everyday situations.
咳止めのシロップを買いました。
I bought cough syrup.
子供にシロップの薬を飲ませる。
I give my child liquid medicine (syrup).
Can also refer to oral liquid medicine, but is more formal. In a pharmacy, you might see this on labels.
Liquid medicine applied to the eyes.
The standard word for eye drops. Note that it literally means 'eye medicine' and is used for both medicated and non-medicated drops.
目薬をさしてください。
Please put in eye drops.
ドライアイ用の目薬を使っています。
I use eye drops for dry eyes.
Liquid medicine for the nose.
The general term for nasal drops or spray. It covers both liquid drops and spray forms.
点鼻薬を使うと鼻が通ります。
Using nasal spray clears my nose.
Specifically a nasal spray. Often used for allergy or congestion relief.
鼻スプレーを携帯しています。
I carry a nasal spray with me.
Liquid medicine for the ears.
The common word for ear drops. Like 目薬, it literally means 'ear medicine'.
耳薬を処方してもらいました。
I got prescribed ear drops.
A more technical term for ear drops, often used in medical contexts.
点耳薬の使い方を教えてください。
Please tell me how to use the ear drops.
Medicated liquid applied to the skin, such as calamine lotion or antiseptic solutions.
A formal term for topical liquid preparations. Often seen on medicine bottles.
この外用液剤は1日2回塗ってください。
Apply this topical liquid twice a day.
Often used for medicated lotions or solutions, though it can also mean cosmetic lotion. Context clarifies.
かゆみ止めのローションを塗った。
I applied anti-itch lotion.
In some older or specific contexts, 水薬 can refer to topical liquids, but this is rare. Usually it means oral liquid.
水薬 is the formal, technical term for liquid medicine, often used in pharmacies and medical settings. シロップ specifically refers to syrup-like liquids and is common in everyday speech, especially for children's medicine or cough syrup. 液体の薬 is a descriptive phrase that anyone can understand, but it's not a standard term. Use シロップ for sweetened oral liquids, 水薬 for formal or general liquid medicine, and 液体の薬 when explaining the form of the medicine.
薬局で水薬をもらいました。
I received a liquid medicine at the pharmacy.
子供がシロップを喜んで飲んだ。
My child happily took the syrup.
While 液体薬 (えきたいやく) is occasionally used, it is not a standard term and may sound awkward. Stick to 水薬, シロップ, or specific terms like 目薬, 点鼻薬, etc., depending on the context.
✕ 液体薬を飲む
Intended: take liquid medicine (awkward)
○ 水薬を飲む / シロップを飲む
Take liquid medicine / Take syrup
水薬を処方されました。
I was prescribed a liquid medicine.
水薬を患部に塗布する。
Apply the liquid medicine to the affected area.