Japanese word

麻薬

Pronunciation

Romajimayaku

Meaning

  • noundrug

Example

麻薬は体に悪いです。ma yaku wa karada ni waru i de su

Drugs are bad for you.

Illustration for 麻薬 (drug)

More examples

若者に麻薬の危険性を正しく伝えることが大切です。waka mono ni ma yaku no ki ken sei o masa shi ku tsuta e ru ko to ga tai setsu de su

It is important to teach young people about the dangers of drugs.

Core concept

Describes a powerful drug that affects the body and mind and may create a strong need for repeated use.

Common phrases

  • 麻薬の危険性ma yaku no ki ken sei

    the dangers of drugs

  • 麻薬依存を防ぐma yaku i zon o fuse gu

    prevent drug addiction

  • 麻薬について学ぶma yaku ni tsu i te mana bu

    learn about drugs

Similar words

薬物yakubutsu: A substance used to change how the body or mind functions, including medicines and narcotics.
ドラッグdoraggu: A substance taken for its effects on the body or mind, especially an illegal substance.

Definition in Japanese

心身に強く作用し、依存性を生じさせる薬物。shin shin ni tsuyo ku sa yō shi i zon sei o shō ji sa se ru yaku butsu

Word origin

麻 (ma, "hemp") and 薬 (yaku, "medicine or drug") combine in 麻薬 (mayaku), a Sino-Japanese term that came to denote narcotic drugs rather than medicine in general.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use drug for both medicine and narcotics, so 麻薬 (mayaku) is closer to the narrower narcotics sense than to the whole English category.

Word lists with this word