thuốc
[tʰuək̚˧˦]
In Vietnamese, the word for drugs is thuốc.
The word thuốc is used generally for both beneficial medicines and harmful substances like narcotics.
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which often distinguishes between 'medicine' and 'drugs' (the latter often implying illegal substances), the Vietnamese word thuốc covers both contexts. The compound form thuốc men is often used to refer to medicines or drugs in a more general or collective sense. To specifically refer to illegal narcotics or opium in a formal or historical context, thuốc phiện is used.
Did you know?
- The word thuốc is also used to describe tobacco, such as thuốc lá for cigarettes. In this context, it treats smoking as a habitual 'medicine' or substance.
- In traditional Vietnamese medicine, a 'prescription' is often called bốc thuốc, which literally means 'to scoop or gather medicine'. This refers to the physical act of weighing herbs.
- Vietnamese uses thuốc to describe betel nut chewing, a traditional social custom. The term thuốc têm refers to the prepared quid of areca nut and lime.
Examples in context
- Có một số loại thuốc gây thương tổn cho gan.Some drugs cause liver damage.This sentence is useful for illustrating how thuốc can refer to substances that cause physical harm.Tatoeba #9734419 by dotheduyet1999, translation #9200846 by Cabo
- Một số quốc gia có hệ thống luật pháp nghiêm khắc chống lại thuốc phiện.A number of countries have strict laws against drugs.This sentence shows how thuốc is used when discussing laws against illegal substances like thuốc phiện.Tatoeba #1575788 by trieuho, translation #274835 by CM
- Cần kiên nhẫn và chân thành để giúp đỡ những người nghiện thuốc phiện.Patience and sincerity are needed to help opium addicts.
- Đã lâu rồi tớ không sử dụng ma túy.I haven't used drugs for a long time.
- Bạn nên uống thuốc đúng giờ.You should take your medicine on time.
Example conversation
Tuấn is checking on Mai's health at home.
- TuấnMai, chị đã uống thuốc chưa?Mai, have you taken your medicine yet?
- MaiChị uống rồi, cảm ơn em.I took it, thank you.
- TuấnThuốc này có tác dụng phụ không?Does this medicine have any side effects?
- MaiNó làm chị hơi buồn ngủ.It makes me a little sleepy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry thuốc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
