麻薬(まやく)

まやく
noun
narcotic; drug
legalmedical
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).

Compounds

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)

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The standard term, used in everyday speech as well as in legal, news, and medical contexts; casual talk also uses ドラッグ or クスリ.

Related Words

Compare: 薬物(やくぶつ) (drugs, substances)
Compare: ドラッグ (drugs)
general
Added 2026.3.23 13:37 · Revised 2026.10.8 21:48
18500/18796_mayaku