Buy Medicine In Japanese: 10+ Useful Phrases

Falling sick during your dream trip to Japan is an absolute nightmare! Well, feeling ill and being unable to properly consult with the pharmacist at the nearby drugstore is even the worst! So, it’s essential to know how to buy medicine in Japanese.

However, if you want to avoid any awkward language barrier situations regarding medication and decide to bring your own medicines, read up! It’s important to be cautious when bringing medication from your home country to Japan. Then, knowing how to buy medicine in Japanese is likely essential to avoid getting into trouble with Japanese law.

A List Of Prohibited Medications In Japan

Did you know that different countries have rules about what you can bring with you, especially regarding medication? Just like in Japan, there are particular prescription medications you can’t get into the country. It’s, in fact, illegal to do so.

Let’s take a look at the list.

• Opium
• Cannabis
• Stimulant drugs: Amphetamines and methamphetamines
• Medicines for the treatment of ADD/ADHD: Adderall and Dexedrine

It’s possible to carry your medicine into Japan provided you have completed the necessary formalities and show a doctor’s prescription; read on for more information. 

So, you must follow the necessary procedures to bring a controlled drug into Japan.

Keep in mind that some options are still available if you need to bring your personal medicines. One option is to complete the necessary procedures to ensure everything is ready. If you don’t need to take medication regularly, we suggest you learn how to buy medicine in Japanese.

Feeling under the weather during your Japan travels and unsure how to communicate your needs at the pharmacy? No worries, I’ve got you covered!

Go To Drugstores Or Pharmacies To Buy Medicine In Japanese

You can get your medicines from either a pharmacy (薬局, yakkyoku) or a drugstore (ドラッグストア). Pharmacies sell only medicines, while you can find all sorts of stuff at drugstores, from your everyday essentials to makeup and snacks.

If you plan to buy medicine in Japanese, you’re in luck because I’ve got all the useful phrases you need to know to make your purchase successful.

Some Important Keywords About Medicine

English	Japanese	Romaji	Pronunciation
Medicine	薬	Kusuri	Play
Pharmacy	薬局	Yakkyoku	Play
Drugstore	ドラッグストア	Doraggusutoa	Play

Useful Japanese Phrases You Should Learn About Medicine

• Where can I get the medicine? – 薬はどこで貰うんですか? (Kusuri wa doko de moraun desu ka)
• Where’s the nearest pharmacy? – 一番近い薬局はどこにありますか？ (Ichiban chikai yakkyoku wa doko ni arimasu ka?)
• Do you have any medicine for a cold? – 風邪に効く薬はありますか? (Kaze ni kiku kusuri wa arimasu ka)
• Please give me some medicine to reduce the pain. – 痛みを抑える薬を何かください。(Itami o osaeru kusuri o nanika kudasai)
• Please give me some airsickness medicine. – 乗り物酔いの薬をください。(Norimono-yoi no kusuri o kudasai)
• Please bring me some stomach medicine. – 胃薬を持ってきてください。 (Igusuri o motte kite kudasai.)
• Please give me a band-aid. – バンドエイドをください。(Bandoeido o kudasai.)
• I have trouble taking powdered medicine. – 私、粉薬って苦手なのよね。 (Watashi, kogusuritte nigate na no yo ne)
• Are you allergic to any medicine? – 薬にアレルギーがありますか? (Kusuri ni arerugī ga arimasu ka)
• I’m allergic to some medicine. – 薬にアレルギーがあります。(Kusuri ni arerugī ga arimasu)
• Please explain how to take the medicine. – 薬の飲み方を教えてください。 (Kusuri no nomikata o oshietekudasai)
• What is the maximum dosage for an adult? – 大人への一回分の最大の投薬量はどのくらいですか? (Otona e no ichi-kaibun no saidai no tōyaku-ryō wa dono kuraidesu ka)

Important Japanese Words About Symptoms

When you go to the doctor, you have to tell them which part of your body is aching. You can pair the Japanese body vocabulary with the symptoms vocabulary below to communicate better with your doctor.

English	Japanese	Romaji	Pronunciation
Sick	病気	Byouki	Play
Headache	頭が痛い	Atama ga itai	Play
Diarrhea	下痢	Geri	Play
Fever	熱	Netsu	Play
Sneeze	くしゃみ	Kushami	Play
Influenza	インフレエンザ	Inhureinza	Play
Catch a cold	風邪	Kaze	Play
Cough	せき	Seki	Play
Vomit	吐き気	Hakike	Play
Allergy	アレルギー	Aruregii	Play
Migraine	片頭痛	Henzutsuu	Play
Nosebleed	鼻血	Hanaji	Play
Hay fever	花粉症	Kahunshou	Play
Faint	失神する	Shisshin suru	Play
Infection	感染	Kansen	Play
Stroke	脳卒中	Nōsotchū	Play

In Summary

You no longer have to worry about getting medicine at the pharmacy in Japan. Knowing these essential phrases can be handy when traveling or living in Japan and feeling under the weather.

They can save you time and even help you get the medical attention you need to feel better. Your health should always be a top priority, no matter where you are. So, make sure to remember these phrases and practice them whenever you get the chance!

Did you know that the Ling app can help you in any situation, not just when buying medicine?

Learn Japanese With The Ling App

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Wow, Ling sounds like a great language-learning platform! They have fun tools to help you improve your language skills, like learning new vocabulary faster, improving your grammar, reading, and listening skills, and even practicing speaking with their intelligent chatbot. It’s incredible how much you can improve with all these tools!

Additionally, we’ve got loads of vocabulary to help you out in any situation while you’re living or traveling in Japan. Anything could be easy when you use the Ling app to connect through language. It’s a great way to improve your Japanese language skills and connect with people worldwide. Ready to give it a shot?

Join the rest of the Japanese learners who have chosen the Ling app as their companion! Download the Ling app from Google Play Store or App Store for FREE today. Get ready to be fluent in Japanese soon!