麻薬(まやく)

まやく
noun
narcotic; drug
1. narcotic; illegal drug
Controlled substances such as heroin, cocaine, and opium. Used in legal, medical, and news contexts.
麻薬(まやく)は法律(ほうりつ)で禁止(きんし)されている。
Narcotics are prohibited by law.
麻薬(まやく)の密売(みつばい)で逮捕(たいほ)された。
He was arrested for drug trafficking.
空港(くうこう)で麻薬(まやく)探知犬(たんちけん)が荷物(にもつ)を検査(けんさ)していた。
Drug-sniffing dogs were inspecting luggage at the airport.
2. something addictive; something irresistible
Used figuratively to describe something so appealing or habit-forming that it is hard to resist.
あのゲームは麻薬(まやく)のようだ。
That game is like a drug.
甘(あま)いものは麻薬(まやく)みたいにやめられない。
Sweets are impossible to quit, like a drug.
成功(せいこう)の快感(かいかん)は麻薬(まやく)のように人(ひと)を虜(とりこ)にする。
The thrill of success captivates people like a drug.

麻薬(まやく) refers to narcotics and illegal drugs in general. A compound of 麻(ま) (hemp, numbness) + 薬(やく) (drug, medicine).

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 麻薬(まやく)取締法(とりしまりほう): Narcotics Control Act
  • 麻薬(まやく)中毒(ちゅうどく): drug addiction
  • 麻薬(まやく)密売(みつばい): drug trafficking
  • 麻薬(まやく)捜査(そうさ): drug investigation
  • 麻薬(まやく)取引(とりひき): drug dealing

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 薬物(やくぶつ): drugs, substances (broader, includes legal drugs used illegally)
  • 覚醒剤(かくせいざい): stimulant drugs (methamphetamine)
  • ドラッグ: drugs (loanword, casual)

REGISTER:
A formal word found in legal, news, and medical contexts.

general
Added 2026.3.23 13:37 · Revised 2026.3.28 12:50
18500/18796_mayaku