How do you say "Do I need medicine?" in Japanese?

"Do I need medicine?" in Japanese is "くすりはひつようですか。". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘Do I need medicine?’ in Japanese

Q: How do you say "Do I need medicine?" in Japanese?

"Do I need medicine?" in Japanese is "くすりは ひつようですか。". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

Q: What does "くすりは ひつようですか。" mean in English?

"くすりは ひつようですか。" means "Do I need medicine?" in English. Usage tip: [〜は] sets the topic: “As for medicine…” A natural doctor-question. You can also soften it: [くすりは ひつようでしょうか。]

くすりはひつようですか。

kusuri wa hitsuyou desu ka

[koo-soo-ree wah hee-tsoo-yoh dess kah]

💬 Usage Tip: [〜は] sets the topic: “As for medicine…” A natural doctor-question. You can also soften it: [くすりはひつようでしょうか。]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Patients in Japan often ask briefly and politely like this. If you want to sound extra considerate, add [すみませんが] at the start.

Phrase Breakdown

くすり

kusuri

[koo-soo-ree]

medicine; medication

Used when asking if medication is needed or when confirming a prescription plan.

Example

このくすりは飲んだほうがいいですか。

Is it better to take this medicine?

は

[wah]

topic marker (wa)

Written は but pronounced 'wa' when marking the topic. Here it means 'as for the medicine…'

Example

くすりは今は必要ありません。

As for medicine, you don’t need it right now.

ひつよう

hitsuyou

[hee-tsoo-yoh]

necessary; needed

In the pattern ひつようですか = 'Is it necessary?'

Example

この治療はひつようですか。

Is this treatment necessary?

ですか。

desu ka

is it? (polite question)

Adds a polite question: “Is it necessary?”

Example

ひつようですか。

Is it necessary?

Words in this phrase

です

desu

[dess]

is; are (polite copula)

Polite form of だ. Used to state or ask in a polite, neutral way (especially in clinics).

Example

血液検査の結果は正常です。

The blood test results are normal.

か

[kah]

question marker

Placed at the end to make a question in polite Japanese.

Example

次の検査はいつですか。

When is the next test?

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