When discussing medicine in Japanese, it's helpful to understand the nuances of different terms. 治療薬 (chiryouyaku) refers specifically to a therapeutic drug, something designed to treat a particular illness or condition. This is distinct from 薬 (kusuri), which is a more general term for medicine, or 市販薬 (shihanyaku), which means over-the-counter medicine.
For instance, if you have a cold, a cough medicine would be 治療薬. If you're talking about a vaccine, however, that wouldn't typically be called 治療薬, as its purpose is prevention rather than treatment. Understanding this distinction can help you communicate more precisely in medical contexts.
治療薬 in 30 Seconds
- curative medicine
- treatment drug
- therapeutic agent
Idioms & Expressions
"薬を飲む"
To take medicine.
風邪をひいたので、薬を飲んだほうがいい。
neutral"薬が効く"
Medicine takes effect; medicine works.
この頭痛薬はすぐに効く。
neutral"薬漬け"
Addicted to medicine; relying heavily on medicine.
彼は長年、薬漬けの生活を送っている。
informal"薬箱"
Medicine cabinet; first aid kit.
薬箱の中に絆創膏が入っています。
neutral"良薬は口に苦し"
Good medicine tastes bitter. (Meaning: What is good for you may not always be pleasant.)
上司の厳しい意見も、良薬は口に苦し、と思って聞きましょう。
formal"特効薬"
Miracle drug; specific remedy.
癌の特効薬はまだ見つかっていません。
neutral"薬にする"
To take as medicine; to treat as medicine.
毎日このお茶を薬にしています。
neutral"薬が切れる"
To run out of medicine; medicine wears off.
彼の高血圧の薬が切れてしまった。
neutral"薬屋"
Pharmacy; drugstore.
駅前の薬屋で風邪薬を買いました。
neutral"痛み止め"
Painkiller; pain reliever.
歯が痛いので、痛み止めを飲みたい。
neutralTest Yourself 12 questions
You have a cold. Write a short message to a friend saying you need medicine. Use simple Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
風邪です。薬が必要です。
Write a sentence saying 'This medicine is for a headache.' in simple Japanese.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この薬は頭痛のためです。
Imagine you are at a pharmacy. Write a simple question asking for medicine for a cough.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
咳の薬をください。
What is this medicine for?
Read this passage:
これは熱の薬です。毎日飲んでください。
What is this medicine for?
「熱 (netsu)」 means fever.
「熱 (netsu)」 means fever.
When should you take this medicine?
Read this passage:
この薬は食後に飲んでください。
When should you take this medicine?
「食後 (shokugo)」 means after a meal.
「食後 (shokugo)」 means after a meal.
What is the problem?
Read this passage:
お腹が痛いです。薬はどこですか。
What is the problem?
「お腹が痛い (onaka ga itai)」 means stomach ache.
「お腹が痛い (onaka ga itai)」 means stomach ache.
This medicine has few side effects.
A new medicine has been developed.
I had medicine prescribed by the doctor.
Read this aloud:
この治療薬はよく効きます。
Focus: ちりょうやく (chiryouyaku)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
その治療薬はどこで買えますか？
Focus: どこで (doko de)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
治療薬を飲む時間です。
Focus: のむ (nomu)
You said:
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/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
「治療薬」is a practical term for medicine that cures or treats illnesses.
- curative medicine
- treatment drug
- therapeutic agent
Example
これは癌の治療薬です。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More health words
しばらく
B1For a while, for some time.
異変がある
B1To have an unusual change or abnormality.
異常な
B1Abnormal; unusual; irregular.
擦り傷
B1Scratch, graze, abrasion.
吸収する
B1To absorb.
禁酒
B1Abstinence from alcohol; the act of refraining from alcohol.
痛む
A2to hurt; to ache
鍼灸
B1Acupuncture and moxibustion; traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
急性的
B1Acute.
急性な
B1Acute
