Japanese word

漢方薬

Pronunciation

Romajikanpōyaku

Meaning

  • nounChinese herbal medicine

Example

私は漢方薬を飲みます。watashi wa kan pō yaku o no mi ma su

I take Chinese herbal medicine.

Illustration for 漢方薬 (Chinese herbal medicine)

More examples

体質に合う漢方薬を医師に選んでもらいました。tai shitsu ni a u kan pō yaku o i shi ni era n de mo ra i ma shi ta

I had a doctor choose a Chinese herbal medicine that suits my constitution.

Core concept

Refers to a remedy chosen within a traditional medical system, with its ingredients and use understood as part of a whole treatment pattern.

Common phrases

  • 漢方薬を飲むkan pō yaku o no mu

    take Chinese herbal medicine

  • 漢方薬の効果kan pō yaku no kō ka

    effects of Chinese herbal medicine

  • 漢方薬を処方するkan pō yaku o sho hō su ru

    prescribe Chinese herbal medicine

Definition in Japanese

中国から伝わった伝統医学の考え方に基づいて用いる薬。chū goku ka ra tsuta wa tta den tō i gaku no kanga e kata ni moto zu i te mochi i ru kusuri

Word origin

漢方薬 (kanpōyaku) combines 漢 (kan, "China"), 方 (hō, "method"), and 薬 (yaku, "medicine"), naming medicine associated with the Chinese medical method.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 漢方薬 (kanpōyaku) usually means medicine used in Japan's traditional Kampo system, so it is more specific than the broad English term herbal medicine.

Other meanings

  • herbal medicinenoun

Word lists with this word