Common Meanings
1
yào药
Medicine; drug; anything that can cure illnesses.
这是一种很有效的感冒药。
This is a very effective cold medicine.
A chemical substance with a specific effect, such as gunpowder, explosives, or insecticides.
这种杀虫药能有效杀死害虫。
This insecticide can effectively kill pests.
To treat with medicine; to remedy or cure, often used in the negative to mean beyond remedy or incorrigible.
他的坏习惯已经到了不可救药的地步。
His bad habits have reached an incorrigible point.
To poison (something) to death, often referring to pests.
他们药死了花园里的虫子。
They poisoned the insects in the garden to death.
An archaic usage, meaning to wind, bind, or entwine, similar to '约' (yuē) or '缠' (chán).
古人以藤蔓药树枝，使其攀援向上
Ancient people used vines to entwine tree branches, making them climb upwards.
A type of herb, specifically 'angelica dahurica' (bái zhǐ).
白芷药具有清热解毒的功效。
Angelica dahurica (bái zhǐ) is known for its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties.