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Learn Japanese at a Drugstore

Drugstore ドラッグストア — Medicine Cabinet Mysteries

Navigate Japanese pharmacies with confidence. Describe your symptoms, find the right medicine, and understand dosage instructions. No more playing charades when you have a headache.

146 words · 7 chapters

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Why This Book?

Japanese drugstores are overwhelming - colorful aisles packed with products in packaging you cannot read, while your head is pounding or your stomach is churning. The pharmacist can help, but only if you can explain what hurts. This book gives you the vocabulary to describe symptoms like 頭が痛い (my head hurts), find the right medicine, and understand critical dosage instructions so you can feel better fast.

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Body Parts

頭, お腹, 喉, 目, 鼻 - point and say where it hurts

sick

Symptoms & Ailments

痛い, 熱, 咳, 花粉症 - describe what's wrong

medication

Medicine Types

錠剤, 湿布, 目薬, 塗り薬 - know what form you need

schedule

Dosage & Warnings

食後, 1日3回, 副作用 - take it safely

What You'll Learn

1

Store Basics

21 words

Understanding the drugstore environment - store types, staff, and the essential vocabulary you need before explaining your symptoms.

ドラッグストア drugstore
薬局やっきょく pharmacy
薬剤師やくざいし pharmacist
薬くすり medicine
処方箋しょほうせん prescription
...and 16 more
2

Body Parts

21 words

Know the names of body parts so you can point to where it hurts. Essential for explaining symptoms to the pharmacist.

頭あたま head
お腹おなか stomach
喉のど throat
目め eye
肌はだ skin
...and 16 more
3

Describing Symptoms

21 words

How to describe pain, discomfort, and various symptoms. The key vocabulary for communicating with the pharmacist.

痛いいたい painful / hurts
熱ねつ fever
咳せき cough
鼻水はなみず runny nose
かゆい itchy
...and 16 more
4

Common Ailments

21 words

Names of common conditions and ailments - what you might have that brings you to the drugstore in the first place.

頭痛ずつう headache
風邪かぜ cold (illness)
花粉症かふんしょう hay fever
下痢げり diarrhea
虫刺されむしさされ insect bite
...and 16 more
5

Medicine Types

21 words

Different forms of medicine - pills, capsules, creams, patches. Know what format you need or prefer.

錠剤じょうざい tablet / pill
湿布しっぷ medicated patch
目薬めぐすり eye drops
塗り薬ぬりぐすり ointment
絆創膏ばんそうこう bandage
...and 16 more
6

Instructions & Warnings

21 words

How to take medicine - timing, dosage, and important warnings. Critical for safe medicine use.

食後しょくご after meals
1日3回いちにちさんかい 3 times a day
副作用ふくさよう side effects
眠くなるねむくなる makes you sleepy
効くきく to be effective
...and 16 more
7

Skincare & Daily Items

20 words

Non-medicine items commonly found in drugstores - skincare, toiletries, and daily necessities.

日焼け止めひやけどめ sunscreen
シャンプー shampoo
歯磨き粉はみがきこ toothpaste
コンタクト contact lenses
リップクリーム lip balm
...and 15 more

Pro Tips

Point and say itai The simplest way to explain where it hurts is to point at the body part and say ここが痛いです (koko ga itai desu - it hurts here). Works every time.
Pharmacists are free consultants Unlike some countries, Japanese pharmacists actively help you find the right medicine. Ask おすすめはありますか (do you have a recommendation?) and describe your symptoms.
Check for drowsiness warnings Many medicines cause sleepiness. If you need to stay alert, ask 眠くならない薬はありますか (do you have medicine that won't make me sleepy?)
Hay fever season is serious From February to April, 花粉症 (kafunshou - hay fever) affects millions. Drugstores stock entire aisles of allergy medicine, masks, and eye drops.
Medicated patches are Japanese favorites 湿布 (shippu) are hugely popular for muscle pain and stiffness. They come in warming and cooling varieties - ask for 温かい (warm) or 冷たい (cold).

Why Learn With Our App?

These 146 words are just the beginning. Here's how our app helps you actually remember them.

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Real Vocabulary

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