(xī yào) - Western medicine in Mandarin
xīyàoTraditional: 西藥
Translation
Western medicine
Stroke order
西
药
Examples
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Hospitals usually prescribe Western medicine.
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Western medicine tends to take effect faster.
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He doesn't like taking Western medicine, he prefers Chinese medicine.
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This Western medicine needs a doctor's prescription.
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The pharmacy sells both Chinese and Western medicine.
西药 (xīyào) is "Western medicine": 西 (xī) means "west" and 药 (yào) means "medicine, drug", so the compound names biomedical, pharmaceutical medicine as distinct from traditional herbal treatment.
It is the word for the tablets and prescriptions most British readers already know: 西药见效快 (xīyào jiànxiào kuài), "Western medicine takes effect quickly", is a common way people contrast it with the slower, gentler reputation of 中药 (zhōngyào), "Chinese medicine".
The two are not rivals in everyday Chinese healthcare so much as complementary options: it is entirely normal for one pharmacy, or even one doctor's prescription, to combine 西药 (xīyào) for a quick fix with 中药 (zhōngyào) for longer-term balance.
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西药: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "西药" (Western medicine): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 109.