药店 from HSK Level 2 Vocabulary List

The Chinese word 药店 (yàodiàn) for "pharmacy" is composed of two characters: 药 (yào), meaning "medicine" or "drug", and 店 (diàn), meaning "store" or "shop". The term 药店 is used to refer to a physical establishment where pharmaceutical drugs and medical supplies are dispensed and sold to the public.The character 药 (yào) has a rich history in Chinese culture and language. Its earliest known usage dates back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BC), where it was used in oracle bone inscriptions to refer to medicinal herbs and potions. Over time, the meaning of 药 expanded to include all types of medicines, including both traditional Chinese medicine and Western pharmaceuticals.The character 店 (diàn) is also an ancient Chinese character, with its origins dating back to the Warring States period (475–221 BC). It was originally used to refer to a place where goods were sold, such as a market stall or a shop. In modern Chinese, 店 is commonly used to refer to any type of retail establishment, including pharmacies, grocery stores, and clothing stores.When combined, the characters 药 and 店 form the compound word 药店 (yàodiàn), which specifically refers to a store that sells medicines and medical supplies. 药店 are common throughout China and play a vital role in providing access to healthcare products for the population.