薬局

• Reading: やっきょく
• Romaji: yakkyoku
• Kanji breakdown: 薬 (yaku/kusuri) — medicine, drug; 局 (kyoku) — bureau, office
• Pronunciation: /jak.kjo.kɯ/

Meaning

Pharmacy; drugstore. A shop where medicines are dispensed or sold.

Refers specifically to a licensed pharmacy that fills prescriptions. Different from ドラッグストア (drugstore), which sells over-the-counter products and daily goods. In Japan, prescription medicines must be picked up at a 薬局 with a 処方箋.

Examples

1. 駅前の薬局で風邪薬を買った。 I bought cold medicine at the pharmacy by the station.
2. 処方箋を薬局に出したら十分ほど待った。 When I handed in my prescription at the pharmacy, I waited about ten minutes.
3. この辺りに薬局はありますか。 Is there a pharmacy around here?

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, health, shopping

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 薬 (yaku, medicine/drug) and 局 (kyoku, bureau/office). Literally 'medicine bureau,' denoting an official place where medicines are handled.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal