About
The character for medicine, in its traditional form "藥", originates from a conceptual combination of the grass radical "艹", indicating its botanical origins, and the component "樂", which originally depicted a wooden frame with bells and carried connotations of harmony and, by extension, relief or ease. This structure effectively communicated the idea of herbs that bring the body back to a state of ease or comfort. Over centuries, its application broadened from specifically plant-based remedies to encompass all substances used for treating disease, including mineral and later chemical compounds. The simplified form "药" emerged from cursive writing traditions, replacing the complex "樂" with "约", a simpler component chosen primarily for its phonetic similarity rather than retaining the original semantic hint of relief, thus streamlining the character while shifting its compositional logic.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
药已经吃完了。
请你按时吃这种药。
这个药方的效果很好。
中药和西药各有优势。
这家药店的营业时间很长。
滥用药物会导致健康问题。
新药的研发需要大量资金。
这种农药对环境的危害很大。