毒品
dúpǐn
In Chinese, the word for drugs is 毒品 (dúpǐn).
The term 毒品 is used specifically to refer to illegal narcotics or controlled substances used for recreational purposes. It is not used to describe legal medications like aspirin or antibiotics.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 毒 (poison/poisonous substance) and 品 (product/goods/item).
Which one should you use?
While 毒品 refers specifically to illegal narcotics, the term 药物 is the general term used for medicinal drugs or pharmaceuticals.
How do you pronounce it?
dúpǐn
Did you know?
- The term 毒品 is a contraction of the much longer historical term for 'opium and prohibited drugs', 鴉片煙毒.
- While 毒品 refers to illegal substances, the word 药 ('medicine') can be used as a slang euphemism for drugs in certain underground contexts.
- Chinese has a specific term 戒毒 ('quitting poison') to describe drug rehabilitation, which is used more frequently than a general term for 'recovery'.
Examples in context
- 對毒品說不。Say no to drugs.This sentence is useful for showing how to express a refusal of 毒品.Tatoeba #827526 by Martha, translation #827226 by Scott
- 她在演唱会的场地贩卖毒品。She's selling drugs at concerts.This sentence shows a context involving the sale of 毒品.Tatoeba #811269 by fucongcong, translation #6044 by AlanF_US
- 请每天按时服用药物。(Qǐng měi tiān ànshí fúyòng yào-wù.)Please take your medication at the prescribed times every day.
- 警方嚴厲打擊販賣毒品。Jǐngfāng yánlì dǎjī fànmài dúpǐn.The police strictly crack down on drug trafficking.
Example conversation
A police officer is warning a man about the dangers of drug-related crimes.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，千萬不要碰毒品。Zhìqiáng, qiānwàn bùyào pèng dúpǐn.Zhiqiang, you must never touch drugs.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我明白，我會遠離那些危險。Wǒ míngbai, wǒ huì yuǎnlí nàxiē wēixiǎn.I understand, I will stay away from that danger.
- 梓涵 Zihan如果不小心捲入，後果很嚴重。Rúguǒ bù xiǎoxīn juǎnrù, hòuguǒ hěn yánzhòng.If you accidentally get involved, the consequences are very serious.
- 志强 Zhiqiang謝謝妳的提醒，梓涵。Xièxiè nǐ de tíxǐng, Zǐhán.Thank you for the reminder, Zihan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 毒品, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
