Reading a Medicine Bag in Japanese: “Shokugo,” “1-nichi 3-kai,” and “Tonpuku”
When you get medicine at a pharmacy in Japan, the bag and the paper inside tell you when to take it. This page explains the words. It does not tell you how to take your own medicine: always follow the instructions from your doctor or pharmacist.
やさしい日本語
- 薬局で もらう 薬の 袋には、飲む 時間が 書いて あります。
- このページで、その 言葉を 練習します。
- 自分の 薬の 飲み方は、医者や 薬剤師に 聞いて ください。
When to take it
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 食前 | shokuzen | Before meals: about 1 hour to 30 minutes before eating. |
| 食後 | shokugo | After meals: within about 30 minutes after eating. |
| 食間 | shokkan | Between meals: about 2 hours after eating. (It does not mean “during a meal.”) |
| 就寝前 | shūshinmae | Before bed: about 30 minutes before you go to sleep. |
| 頓服 | tonpuku | As needed: when you have an attack or when your symptoms are bad. |
やさしい日本語
- 「食前」は、ごはんの 1時間〜30分 前です。
- 「食後」は、ごはんの あと 30分 以内です。
- 「食間」は、ごはんの 2時間 あとです。ごはんの 途中では ありません。
- 「就寝前」は、寝る 30分 前です。
- 「頓服」は、具合が とても 悪い ときに 飲む 薬です。いつ 飲むかは 医者に 聞いて ください。
How many and how often
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning (common words, explained for this page) |
|---|---|---|
| 1日3回 | ichinichi sankai | 3 times a day |
| 1回1錠 | ikkai ichijō | 1 tablet each time |
| 1回1包 | ikkai ippō | 1 packet each time |
| 〇日分 | … nichibun | For … days |
やさしい日本語
- 「1日3回」は、1日に 3回 飲む ことです。
- 「錠」は つぶの 薬、「包」は 袋に 入った 粉の 薬を 数える 言葉です。
Practice: read a medicine bag
Read this sample medicine bag (made for this page). Then answer the questions.
1日3回 毎食後
1回1錠 5日分
- How many times a day?
Answer
3 times (1日3回).
- When do you take it?
Answer
After every meal (毎食後), within about 30 minutes after eating.
- How many tablets each time?
Answer
1 tablet (1回1錠).
- For how many days?
Answer
5 days (5日分).
やさしい日本語
- 薬の 袋を 読んで、4つの 問題に 答えましょう。
- わからない ときは、薬剤師に 聞きましょう。
Phrases to use
Show the card or read it aloud.
この 薬は いつ 飲みますか？
When do I take this medicine?
1回に いくつ 飲みますか？
How many do I take each time?
飲み忘れたら、どう したら いいですか？
What should I do if I forget to take it?
もう 一度、ゆっくり お願いします。
One more time, slowly, please.
Japanese words
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 食前 | shokuzen | Before meals |
| 食後 | shokugo | After meals |
| 食間 | shokkan | Between meals |
| 頓服 | tonpuku | As needed |
| 薬剤師 | yakuzaishi | Pharmacist |
Source
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Japan Pharmaceutical Association, “What you should know about medicine” (知っておきたい 薬の知識), page 4: shokuzen (about 1 hour to 30 minutes before a meal), shokugo (within about 30 minutes after a meal), shokkan (about 2 hours after a meal; not during a meal), shūshinmae (about 30 minutes before bed), tonpuku (when you have an attack or bad symptoms).
Last checked: 2026-10-23
厚生労働省・日本薬剤師会『知っておきたい 薬の知識』（PDF）
The practice texts on this page were made for this page.