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.
Please take this liquid medicine after meals.
A technical term for liquid preparations, used in pharmaceutical contexts. Less common in everyday language.
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.
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.
I bought cough 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.
Please put in eye drops.
Liquid medicine for the nose.
Liquid medicine for the ears.
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.
Apply this topical liquid twice a day.
Often used for medicated lotions or solutions, though it can also mean cosmetic lotion. Context clarifies.
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.
I received a liquid medicine at the pharmacy.
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.
I give my child liquid medicine (syrup).
水薬を処方されました。
I was prescribed a liquid medicine.
I use eye drops for dry eyes.
I applied anti-itch lotion.
水薬を患部に塗布する。
Apply the liquid medicine to the affected area.
Take liquid medicine / Take syrup