마약
mayak[ma̠ja̠k̚]
The English phrase "drugs" is translated into Korean as 마약 (mayak).
In Korean, 마약 specifically refers to narcotics or illegal drugs. It is used to describe substances used for their effect on the mind that are illegal.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 마약 is a compound of 마, meaning "poison" and 약, meaning "medicine".
Which one should you use?
While 마약 refers to illegal narcotics, other terms are used for different types of drugs. 약품 refers to pharmaceutical drugs or medications, and 의약품 emphasizes drugs used for medicinal purposes and is used in the medical field.
How do you pronounce it?
mayak
Did you know?
- In Korean media, the term 마약 is often used as a hyperbolic descriptor for something irresistibly delicious, such as '마약 옥수수' or 'drug corn', to mean 'addictive' food.
- Korea has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, and the term 마약 is treated with extreme social stigma compared to 'drugs' in some Western cultures.
- The term 마약 is derived from the Sino-Korean characters 痲 meaning 'numbness' and 藥 meaning 'medicine'.
Examples in context
- 그 사람은 마약 중독자야.He's addicted to drugs.This sentence is useful for describing someone who is addicted to 마약.Tatoeba #8361822 by Eunhee, translation #1855197 by Spamster
- 마약범죄는 엄격한 처벌이 필요합니다.Strict punishment is necessary for drug-related crimes.
- 우리 오늘 약 좀 사야 해.We need to buy some medicine today.
- 마약은 정말 위험해요.mayageun jeongmal wiheomhaeyo.Drugs are really dangerous.
- 경찰이 마약을 발견했어요.gyeongchari mayageul balgyeonhaesseoyo.The police found drugs.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyun-woo are watching a crime documentary on TV.
- 지은 Ji-eun저 영화는 마약 범죄에 관한 거야.jeo yeonghwaneun mayak beomjoe-e gwanhan geoya.That movie is about drug crimes.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 무서운 이야기네.jeongmal museoun iyagine.That is a really scary story.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨도 조심해야 해.hyunwoo ssido josimhaeya hae.You should be careful too, Hyun-woo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo당연하지, 지은 씨.dangyeonhaji, jieun ssi.Of course, Ji-eun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 마약, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 마약, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
