药水

• Pinyin: yào shuǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 药 = 艹 (grass radical) + 约 (phonetic); 水 = pictograph of flowing water

Meaning

Liquid medicine; medicinal solution. Medicine in liquid form, such as cough syrup or eye drops.

Covers any medicine in liquid form, including syrups, solutions, and drops. Often given to children who cannot swallow pills. Can also refer to chemical solutions in non-medical contexts, such as 洗发药水 (medicated shampoo).

Examples

1. 这个药水有点苦，但是对咳嗽很有效。 This liquid medicine is a bit bitter, but it's very effective for coughs.
2. 孩子不喜欢吃药片，医生给他开了药水。 The child doesn't like taking pills, so the doctor prescribed liquid medicine.
3. 护士把药水倒进小杯子里。 The nurse poured the liquid medicine into a small cup.

Usage Guide

Context: health, everyday

Tone: informational

Do Say

• 这瓶药水每次喝五毫升。(Take five millilitres of this liquid medicine each time.)
• 药水要放在冰箱里。(The liquid medicine should be kept in the fridge.)

Don't Say

• 我吃了一杯药水。(Don't use 吃 with liquid medicine — say 喝药水 (drink) instead.)

Origin & History

Compound of 药 (medicine) and 水 (water/liquid), literally 'medicine water.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal