How to Say "cocaine" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “cocaine” is “cocaína” — use this term when referring specifically to the illicit drug, cocaine, especially in contexts of crime, trafficking, or drug use..
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cocaína
nounB2illicit drug
Use this term when referring specifically to the illicit drug, cocaine, especially in contexts of crime, trafficking, or drug use.
Examples
El decomiso de cocaína en el puerto fue noticia nacional.
The seizure of cocaine at the port was national news.
coca
/KO-ka//ˈkoka/
nounC1substance
This term can refer to the substance in a broader sense, including its origin from the coca plant, but is also commonly used as slang for the drug cocaine, especially in informal or criminal contexts.
Examples
La policía incautó un gran cargamento de coca en el puerto.
The police seized a large shipment of coke at the port.
Choosing between 'coca' and 'cocaína'
Learners often confuse 'coca' and 'cocaína'. While 'cocaína' is the standard and formal term for the drug, 'coca' can also refer to it, especially informally or as slang. It's safer to use 'cocaína' in most contexts unless you are specifically aiming for a more colloquial or criminal register.
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