药 (yào) - Meaning, Stroke Order, Words & Examples

Q: What does 药 (yào) mean in Chinese?

The Chinese character 药 (yào) means "medicine; drug". It is an HSK Level 2 character, with 9 strokes and the radical 艹.

Q: How do you write 药 stroke by stroke?

药 has 9 strokes. The radical is 艹. Follow the standard stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. Practice with stroke animation to build muscle memory.

Q: What's the difference between 药 and 兹?

药 (yào) and 兹 look similar but differ in meaning and usage. Check the radical and stroke count to tell them apart.

Q: What mistakes do learners make writing 药?

Common mistake: incorrect stroke order or miswriting the radical 艹. Pay attention to the proportion between components — keep the radical compact.

Q: What common words use 药?

Common words containing 药 include: 吃药 (chī yào) — to take medicine; 药店 (yào diàn) — pharmacy; drugstore; 中药 (zhōng yào) — Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

How to Write 药

The character 药 (yào) is written with 9 strokes. Follow the standard Chinese stroke order: top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside. The radical 艹 is one of its key components.

Practice the correct stroke order with the Hanzi Writer app to see animated stroke-by-stroke guidance with real-time feedback.

Meaning & Pronunciation

药 is pronounced yào in Mandarin Chinese. It means medicine; drug.

As an HSK Level 2 character, 药 is among the first characters beginners learn.

Common Words with 药

吃药 chī yào

to take medicine

药店 yào diàn

pharmacy; drugstore

中药 zhōng yào

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Example Sentences

记得按时吃药。

jì de àn shí chī yào

Remember to take your medicine on time.

药店就在附近。

yào diàn jiù zài fù jìn

The pharmacy is nearby.

他在喝中药。

tā zài hē zhōng yào

He is drinking Chinese medicine.

Similar Characters

兹 zī

芈 mǐ

芘 pí

Practice Writing 药 (yào)

Open Hanzi Writer to see the animated stroke order and practice writing 药 with real-time feedback.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 药

What does 药 (yào) mean in Chinese?

How do you write 药 stroke by stroke?

What's the difference between 药 and 兹?

What mistakes do learners make writing 药?

What common words use 药?

How to Write 药 (yào)