Translation guide
A painkiller is a medicine that reduces or eliminates pain. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 鎮痛剤 (chintsūzai), but in everyday conversation, people often refer to specific types like 痛み止め (itamidome) or brand names. This guide covers how to talk about painkillers naturally in Japanese, from pharmacy visits to casual chats.
Referring to pain-relieving medication in general, such as when asking for it at a pharmacy or discussing its effects.
The standard medical term for analgesic or painkiller. Used in pharmacies, hospitals, and on medication labels. It is understood by everyone but sounds slightly formal.
鎮痛剤を処方してもらえますか？
Can I get a prescription for a painkiller?
この鎮痛剤はよく効きます。
This painkiller works well.
A very common, everyday word for painkiller. Literally 'pain stopper'. Used in casual conversation and also understood at pharmacies. Slightly less formal than 鎮痛剤.
痛み止めをください。
Please give me a painkiller.
痛み止めを飲んでもまだ痛い。
Even after taking a painkiller, it still hurts.
Synonym of 鎮痛剤, also a medical term. Interchangeable in most contexts, but 鎮痛剤 is slightly more common.
鎮痛薬の副作用に注意してください。
Please be aware of the side effects of painkillers.
Means 'pain relief' or 'analgesia'. Often used in compound words like 鎮痛効果 (analgesic effect). Not used alone to mean a pill.
この薬には鎮痛作用があります。
This medicine has a painkilling effect.
Talking about common non-prescription painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. Japanese people often use brand names or specific drug names.
Term for 'antipyretic analgesic' – a painkiller that also reduces fever. Common on OTC drug packaging. A bit technical but widely understood.
解熱鎮痛剤を探しています。
I'm looking for a painkiller that also reduces fever.
A popular brand name for a painkiller containing aspirin or ibuprofen. Often used generically to mean any OTC painkiller, similar to 'Bufferin' in English.
頭痛がするからバファリンを飲んだ。
I had a headache, so I took a Bufferin.
Brand name for loxoprofen, a very common NSAID painkiller in Japan. Often used as a generic term for strong OTC painkillers.
ロキソニンはよく効くよね。
Loxonin really works, doesn't it?
Short for ibuprofen. Sometimes used in brand names like 'イブクイック'. Recognizable but less common as a standalone word.
イブを買ってきて。
Go buy some ibuprofen.
Phrases to use when you need to buy or request pain relief medication in a drugstore or clinic.
The simplest and most natural way to ask for a painkiller. Works in any pharmacy.
すみません、痛み止めをください。
Excuse me, please give me a painkiller.
A slightly more formal way to ask if they have painkillers. Good if you want to sound polite.
鎮痛剤はありますか？
Do you have painkillers?
If you specifically need a headache medicine, this is very clear. Many painkillers are marketed this way.
頭痛薬をください。
Please give me a headache medicine.
Talking about how well a painkiller works, its onset, or duration.
The verb 効く means 'to be effective'. Use it to say a painkiller works or doesn't work.
この痛み止めはすぐに効く。
This painkiller works quickly.
飲んだけど全然効かない。
I took it, but it doesn't work at all.
Means 'the pain eases'. A slightly softer way to describe relief.
薬で痛みが和らいだ。
The medicine eased the pain.
In casual Japanese, people often use brand names like バファリン or ロキソニン instead of generic terms. If you have a preferred brand, just say the name. Pharmacists will understand.
The English loanword ペインキラー is not commonly used in Japanese. It might be understood in some contexts (e.g., gaming or music), but for medicine, stick to the Japanese terms.