药剂师 (yàojìshī), meaning “pharmacist,” is a compound word with three characters:

药 (yào): This character originally depicted a hand holding a medicinal plant. It signifies medicine, drug, or remedy.

剂 (jì): This character combines “knife” and “measuring tool.” It indicates a measured dose or preparation of medicine, referring to the act of compounding or dispensing.

师 (shī): This character originally depicted a hand holding a tool, symbolizing a skilled craftsman or artisan. It evolved to represent a master, expert, or teacher in a specific field.

Therefore, the original structure of 药剂师 paints a picture of “a master of medicine preparation.” It combines the concepts of medicine, precise measurement and preparation, and mastery of a skill, all essential aspects of a pharmacist’s role.

This breakdown highlights the pharmacist’s expertise in handling and dispensing medications, emphasizing their crucial role in healthcare.