薬
medicine, chemical, enamel, gunpowder, benefit
Readings
On'yomi
- ヤク
Kun'yomi
- くすり
Nanori
- み
Meaning
薬 centers on substances that alter or improve a state: medicine for healing, chemicals for effect, enamel as a coating, gunpowder as an explosive compound, and benefit as a positive outcome. The common thread is a transformative agent.
Most common words using 薬
24 of 541- 薬くすりN5
medicine; pharmaceuticals; (legal) drugs; pill; ointment; salve
- 薬物やくぶつ
drug; medicine
- 麻薬まやくN1
narcotic; drug; dope
- 医薬品いやくひんN1
medical and pharmaceutical products; medicinal supplies; drugs; pharmaceuticals; medicine
- 薬局やっきょくN2
pharmacy; drugstore; chemist's (shop)
- 弾薬だんやく
ammunition; ammo
- 製薬せいやくN1
medicine manufacture; drug manufacture
- 薬品やくひんN2
medicine; drug
- 薬剤師やくざいしN1
pharmacist; chemist
- 農薬のうやくN2
agricultural chemical; agrochemical; agrichemical
- 薬剤やくざい
medicine; drug
- 火薬かやくN1
gunpowder; powder
- 医薬いやく
medicine; (pharmaceutical) drug; medical treatment
- 薬缶やかんN3
kettle
- 薬学やくがく
(study of) pharmacy; pharmaceutics
- 新薬しんやく
new medicine; new drug
- 爆薬ばくやく
explosive; blasting powder
- 目薬めぐすりN1
eye drops; eyewash
- 投薬とうやく
administration; medication; dosage
- 漢方薬かんぽうやくN1
Chinese herbal medicine
- 薬指くすりゆびN2
ring finger; third finger; fourth finger (esp. in piano-playing)
- 薬味やくみ
condiment (e.g. grated or chopped topping such as daikon, wasabi, ginger, green onion, red pepper); spice
- 試薬しやく
reagent
- 特効薬とっこうやく
specific medicine; wonder drug; silver bullet
Study
Etymology
薬 is the modern simplified form of 藥. The older form combines 艹 (grass/plant) with 樂, which likely contributed the sound and the idea of something beneficial or enjoyable. The modern 楽 is a simplification of 樂.
Meaning mnemonic
Plants 艹 that bring comfort or joy 楽 are often used as medicine. Imagine gathering healing herbs that make you feel better.
Reading mnemonic
For ヤク, picture a yak chewing medicinal herbs: yak -> ヤク, and the yak benefits from the plants.