薬物
yakubutsu[ja̠kɯ̟bɯ̟t͡sɨ]
In Japanese, the phrase 'drugs' is translated as 薬物 (yakubutsu).
薬物 refers to chemical substances used as medicine or illegal narcotics. It is often used in legal, scientific or journalistic contexts to discuss controlled or illicit substances.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
薬物 is a formal term used in legal, journalistic or scientific contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
yakubutsu
Did you know?
- The term 麻薬 (mayaku), used for illegal narcotics, contains the character 麻 (ma), which refers to 'hemp' or '麻' (hemp).
- If you are looking for a pharmacy, you might see the sign ドラッグストア (doraggu sutoa) written in Katakana. This is a loanword from English and is becoming increasingly common in modern urban areas.
- While 薬物 refers to substances, the more common word for medicine in daily life is 薬, which is pronounced 'kusuri'.
Examples in context
- 医療目的にない薬物を不正に使用するAbuse of drugs with no medical purposeThis sentence demonstrates the phrase 薬物 in the context of unauthorized use.
- 薬物は現代社会の癌だ。Drugs are a cancer of modern society.This sentence shows how 薬物 is used in a metaphorical or social commentary sense.Tatoeba #1008416 by mookeee, translation #532899 by FeuDRenais
- 警察は学校で大量の薬物を押収した。The police seized a large quantity of drugs at the school.This sentence illustrates the use of 薬物 regarding a police seizure.Tatoeba #74963 by fcbond, translation #328756 by fcbond
- 彼は薬を服用していますHe is taking medicine/drugs
- 医薬品の使用方法を理解していますか？Do you understand the proper usage of pharmaceutical drugs?
- 彼はドラッグを使っているHe is using drugs
- 麻薬の流通を防止するためには、法律が重要ですLaws are crucial to prevent the distribution of narcotics/illegal drugs
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a news report about a crime.
- 結衣 Yuiニュースで薬物の事件についてやってたよ。Nyūsu de yakubutsu no jiken ni tsuite yatteta yo.The news was talking about a drug-related crime.
- 大翔 Hiroto最近そういう事件が増えているみたいだね。Saikin sōiu jiken ga fuete iru mitai da ne.It seems like those kinds of incidents are increasing lately.
- 結衣 Yui薬物は人生をめちゃくちゃにするから怖いよね。Yakubutsu wa jinsei o mechakucha ni suru kara kowai yo ne.Drugs are scary because they ruin your life.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当にその通りだと思うよ。Hontō ni sono tōri da to omou yo.I think that's exactly right.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 薬物, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
