The consumption and possession of drugs are considered serious crimes in Japan. However, understanding drug-related vocabulary in Japanese can be helpful in staying informed and avoiding troublesome situations. The following are some drug-related words and phrases in Japanese:
We recommend reading:
How to say Drugs in Japanese
In addition to these words, there are specific terms for other types of drugs and substances, such as stimulants (刺激物 – shigekibutsu), hallucinogens (幻覚剤 – genkakuzai) and sedatives (鎮静剤 – chinseizai).
薬物 (Yakubutsu) - Drugs
The word "薬物" is composed of two kanji: "薬" (yaku), which means "medicine" or "drug", and "物" (butsu), which means "thing" or "object". Together, these two words refer to chemicals or drugs.
麻薬 (Mayaku) - Narcotics
"麻薬" is composed of the kanji "麻" (ma), meaning "hemp" or "marijuana", and "薬" (yaku), meaning "medicine" or "drug". The word "麻薬" usually refers to narcotics, especially illicit drugs.
大麻 (Taima) - Marijuana
"大麻" is formed from the kanji "大" (tai), meaning "big", and "麻" (ma), meaning "hemp" or "marijuana". "大麻" is the specific Japanese word for marijuana. Interestingly, hemp has a long history in Japan and was used to make rope, fabric and paper before it was made illegal.
- CBD (シービーディ) - Shī Bī Di - Cannabidiol
- THC (ティーエイチシー) - Tī Eichi Shī - Tetrahydrocannabinol
Types of Drugs in Japanese
In addition to the previous words, there are specific terms for types of drugs and substances, such as stimulants, hallucinogens, and sedatives. Below is a complete list of each category:
刺激物 (Shigekibutsu) - Stimulants
The word "刺激物" is composed of the kanji "刺激" (shigeki), which means "stimulus" or "excitement", and "物" (butsu), which means "thing" or "substance". These are drugs that increase the activity of the central nervous system, resulting in increased attention, energy and alertness.
- アンフェタミン (Amphetamine) - Amphetamines
- メタンフェタミン (Methamphetamine) - Methamphetamine
- コカイン (Kokain) - Cocaine
鎮静剤 (Chinseizai) - Sedatives and tranquilizers
The word "鎮静剤" is composed of the kanji "鎮静" (chinsei), which means "calm" or "sedation", and "剤" (zai), which means "agent" or "medicine". These are drugs that reduce anxiety, tension and relax muscles.
- バルビツール酸系 (Barubitsūru-san-kei) – Barbiturates
- ベンゾジアゼピン系 (Benzojiyazepin-kei) – Benzodiazepines
麻酔薬 (Masuiyaku) - Analgesics and opiates
The word "麻酔薬" is composed of the kanji "麻酔" (masui), which means "anesthesia" or "numbing", and "薬" (yaku), which means "medicine" or "drug". These are drugs used to relieve pain, and often have sedative properties.
- モルヒネ (Moruhine) - Morphine
- ヘロイン (Heroin) - Heroine
- オキシコドン (Okishikodon) - Oxycodone
幻覚剤 (Genkakuzai) - Hallucinogens
The word "幻覚剤" is composed of the kanji "幻覚" (genkaku), which means "illusion" or "hallucination", and "剤" (zai), which means "agent" or "medicine". These are drugs that alter perception, thinking and emotional experience.
- LSD (エルエスディ) - Eru Esu Di - LSD
- シロシビン (Shiroshibin) - Psilocybin
- メスカリン (Mesukarin) - Mescaline
デザイナードラッグ (Dezainā doraggu) – Synthetic drugs
These are synthetic chemical drugs created to mimic or enhance the effects of natural drugs.
- スパイス (Supaisu) - Spice (Synthetic cannabinoids)
- バスソルト (Basu soruto) – Bath salts (Synthetic stimulants)
インハラント (Inharant) - Inhalants
They are volatile chemical substances that produce psychoactive effects when inhaled.
- ニトリト系 (Nitorito-kei) - Nitrites
- 揮発性溶剤 (Kihatsusei yōzai) - Volatile solvents
Related words
Finally, we will see more words related to the world of drugs:
- 使う (Tsukau) - Use
- 売買 (Baibai) - Buy and sell
- 購入する (Kōnyū suru) - Buy
- 取引 (Torihiki) - Negotiate
- 販売する (Hanbai suru) - Sell
- 麻薬密売人 (Mayaku mitsubainin) - Drug dealer
- 麻薬取引 (Mayaku torihiki) - Drug trafficking
- 麻薬中毒 (Mayaku chūdoku) - Chemical dependency
- 麻薬常習者 (Mayaku jōshūsha) – Habitual drug user
- 麻薬患者 (Mayaku kanja) - Drug addict
- 麻薬捜査 (Mayaku sōsa) - Drug investigation
