Japanese

Noun

薬局 ‎(shinjitai kanji, kyūjitai kanji 藥局, hiragana やっきょく, romaji yakkyoku)

1. drugstore (no prescription required: over-the-counter medicines only)
2. pharmacy (prescription required)

Usage notes

The term 薬局 can be ambiguous as to whether a doctor's prescription is required, much as the English term drugstore. When referring specifically to a store from which prescription medicines are bought, use the term 調剤薬局 (ちょうざいやっきょく) ‎(chōzai yakkyoku).

Compounds

• 調剤薬局 (ちょうざいやっきょく) ‎(chōzai yakkyoku): pharmacy, dispensary (prescription required)

See also

• 薬剤師 (やくざいし) ‎(yakuzaishi): pharmacist