약쟁이
yakjaengi
The English phrase 'crackhead' can be translated into Korean as 약쟁이 (yakjaengi).
While the English term 'crackhead' specifically implies an addiction to crack cocaine, 약쟁이 is a more general term used to describe any person addicted to drugs.
Meaning: person addicted to crack (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
약쟁이 is a slang term and is highly derogatory. It should be used as an insult rather than a clinical or polite way to refer to a person with a substance use disorder.
How do you pronounce it?
yakjaengi
Did you know?
- The suffix -쟁이 in 약쟁이 is often used for people with a specific habit or trait, such as 고집쟁이 for someone stubborn. While it can be cute or neutral in other contexts, it becomes a harsh slur when paired with 약 meaning 'medicine' or 'drugs'.
- The phrase 약쟁이 lacks a specific equivalent for 'crack' because crack cocaine is historically less prevalent in Korea than methamphetamine, known as 필로폰.
- If a person is referred to as a 약쟁이 in a workplace, it is often grounds for immediate social ostracization or firing, reflecting the zero-tolerance culture toward drugs in Korea.
Examples in context
- 그 사람은 진짜 약쟁이야.geu saram-eun jin-jja yak-jaeng-i-ya.That person is a real crackhead.
- 약쟁이들은 정말 위험해.yak-jaeng-i-deul-eun jeong-mal wi-heom-hae.Crackheads are really dangerous.
- 경찰이 그 약쟁이를 잡았어.gyeong-chal-i geu yak-jaeng-i-reul jab-at-eo.The police caught that crackhead.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are walking past a suspicious person on the street.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저 사람 상태가 좀 이상해 보여.jeo saram sangtaega jom isanghae boyeo.That person looks a bit strange.
- 서연 Seo-yeon어쩌면 약쟁이일지도 몰라.eojjyeomyeon yakjaeng-i-iljido molla.Maybe he is a crackhead.
- 도현 Do-hyeon빨리 여기서 벗어나자.ppalli yeogiseo beoseonaja.Let's get out of here quickly.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그래, 도현아. 빨리 가자.geurae, Dohyun-a. ppalli gaja.Right, Dohyun. Let's go quickly.
