薬: the kanji for medicine
薬 is a JLPT N3 kanji that means medicine. Below are its readings, 2 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
薬 is written in 16 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
薬 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 2 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ヤク (yaku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 薬局やっきょく · yakkyoku | pharmacy |
くすり (kusuri)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 薬くすり · kusuri | medicine |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 薬局で薬をもらいました。Yakkyoku de kusuri o moraimashita.I got medicine at the pharmacy.
- この薬は一日三回飲んでください。Kono kusuri wa ichinichi sankai nonde kudasai.Please take this medicine three times a day.
- 近くの薬局で薬を買った。Chikaku no yakkyoku de kusuri o katta.I bought medicine at the nearby pharmacy.
- 頭痛がして薬を飲んだ。Zutsū ga shite kusuri o nonda.I had a headache and took medicine.
- 薬局で処方箋を出した。Yakkyoku de shohōsen o dashita.I submitted a prescription at the pharmacy.
Questions about 薬
How many strokes does 薬 have?
薬 is written in 16 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 薬?
The on readings are yaku (ヤク). The kun readings are kusuri (くすり).
What JLPT level is 薬?
N3. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N3 falls between the former Levels 2 and 3.
More JLPT N3 kanji
Body and health
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 薬
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.