薬局(やっきょく)

やっきょく
noun
pharmacy
1. pharmacy, drugstore
A store where medicines are sold and prescriptions are filled.
薬局(やっきょく)で薬(くすり)を買(か)いました。
I bought medicine at the pharmacy.
近(ちか)くに薬局(やっきょく)はありますか。
Is there a pharmacy nearby?
この処方箋(しょほうせん)を薬局(やっきょく)に持(も)っていってください。
Please take this prescription to the pharmacy.
病院(びょういん)で処方箋(しょほうせん)をもらったので、隣(となり)の薬局(やっきょく)で薬(くすり)を受(う)け取(と)りました。
I got a prescription at the hospital, so I picked up the medicine at the pharmacy next door.
この薬局(やっきょく)は夜(よる)遅(おそ)くまで開(あ)いていて、薬剤師(やくざいし)さんが丁寧(ていねい)に説明(せつめい)してくれるので助(たす)かります。
This pharmacy is open until late at night, and the pharmacist explains things carefully, which is a big help.

薬局(やっきょく) is a pharmacy where prescriptions are filled by licensed pharmacists (薬剤師(やくざいし)).

WORD FORMATION:

  • 薬(やく) (medicine) + 局(きょく) (office/station) = pharmacy

DISTINCTIONS:

  • 薬局(やっきょく): Licensed pharmacy that can fill prescriptions
  • ドラッグストア: Large retail stores selling OTC medicines, cosmetics, daily goods (e.g., マツモトキヨシ)
  • 調剤(ちょうざい)薬局(やっきょく): Dispensing pharmacy (prescription-only)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 薬局(やっきょく)で薬(くすり)をもらう: to get medicine at the pharmacy
  • 処方箋(しょほうせん)を持(も)っていく: to take a prescription (to the pharmacy)
  • 市販薬(しはんやく): over-the-counter medicine

CULTURAL NOTES:
In Japan, after seeing a doctor, patients receive a 処方箋(しょほうせん) (prescription) and take it to a separate pharmacy. Many pharmacies are open late, and some are attached to hospitals or clinics.

core
Added 2026.1.7 21:20 · Revised 2026.2.24 7:54
01000/01069_yakkyoku