Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'pharmacy' depends on whether you mean a drugstore that sells over-the-counter medicine and daily goods, a dispensary that fills prescriptions, or the science of pharmacy. The most common everyday term is 薬局 (yakkyoku), but ドラッグストア (doraggu sutoa) is used for chain drugstores. Be careful: 薬屋 (kusuriya) is an older, informal word that can sound outdated.
A store where you can buy over-the-counter medicine, health products, and often daily necessities like cosmetics and snacks.
The standard word for a pharmacy or drugstore. It can refer to both a dispensary and a store selling OTC medicine. Often used in signs and official names.
I bought cold medicine at a nearby pharmacy.
Literally 'medicine shop'. An older, more informal term. It can sound quaint or old-fashioned. Still understood, but 薬局 or ドラッグストア are preferred in modern speech.
May sound like a small, traditional shop rather than a modern pharmacy.
A place, often inside a hospital or clinic, where prescriptions are filled and you receive prescribed medication.
Specifically a pharmacy that dispenses prescription medicine. Often located next to or inside a clinic. The sign will usually say 調剤薬局.
I got my medicine at the dispensing pharmacy next to the hospital.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a pharmacy that accepts prescriptions'. Useful when asking for directions or clarifying.
Can also mean a dispensary in context, especially when inside a hospital. However, to be clear, 調剤薬局 is better.
The study or profession of preparing and dispensing medicines.
薬局 (yakkyoku) is the general term for a pharmacy, often with a prescription counter. ドラッグストア (doraggu sutoa) is a chain drugstore with a wider variety of non-medical products. 薬屋 (kusuriya) is an older, more traditional term and may not have a prescription service.
Look for signs that say 薬局 (yakkyoku) or ドラッグストア (doraggu sutoa). If you need a prescription filled, look for 調剤薬局 (chōzai yakkyoku) or ask for 処方箋を受け付ける薬局 (shohōsen o uketsukeru yakkyoku).
Loanword from English, used for chain drugstores that sell a wide range of daily goods, cosmetics, and food in addition to medicine. Very common in casual conversation.
I bought shampoo at the drugstore.
There is still an old-fashioned pharmacy.
Where is a pharmacy that accepts prescriptions?
病院内の薬局で待っている。
I'm waiting at the pharmacy inside the hospital.
Pharmaceutics lectures are difficult.