Inklingo

How to Say "drug" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “drug” is “medicamento” — use 'medicamento' when referring to a substance taken for health reasons, like a prescription or over-the-counter medicine.

English → Spanish

medicamento

meh-dee-kah-MEN-tohmeðikaˈmento

nounA2general
Use 'medicamento' when referring to a substance taken for health reasons, like a prescription or over-the-counter medicine.
A small orange bottle of medicine sitting next to a spoon and a few colorful capsules on a clean surface.

Examples

Tengo que tomar mi medicamento cada ocho horas.

I have to take my medication every eight hours.

El médico me recetó un medicamento para el dolor.

The doctor prescribed me a medicine for the pain.

¿Este medicamento tiene efectos secundarios?

Does this medication have side effects?

Masculine Noun Ending in -o

Since it ends in -o, it is almost always masculine. You should use 'el' or 'un' with it (el medicamento).

Using 'droga' instead

Mistake: “Using 'droga' to mean medicine.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'droga' usually refers to illegal substances. Use 'medicamento' or 'medicina' for health related items.

fármaco

nounB1technical
Choose 'fármaco' for a more technical or scientific term referring to a chemical or medical substance, often in the context of research or development.

Examples

El doctor está probando un nuevo fármaco para la alergia.

The doctor is testing a new drug for allergies.

droga

DROH-gahˈdɾoɣa

nounB1informal
Use 'droga' primarily for illegal or illicit substances, often associated with recreational use and law enforcement.
A small, plain white rectangular package resting on the ground, partially covered by yellow and black caution tape, symbolizing an illicit substance.

Examples

La policía incautó tres kilos de droga en el aeropuerto.

The police seized three kilos of drugs at the airport.

El consumo de droga puede arruinar vidas.

Drug use can ruin lives.

Mi serie favorita es una droga; no puedo parar de verla.

My favorite series is like a drug; I can't stop watching it.

Gender and Number

'Droga' is a feminine noun, so you always use feminine articles: 'la droga' (the drug) or 'las drogas' (the drugs).

narcótico

nounB1medical/informal
Employ 'narcótico' specifically for drugs that relieve pain, often prescribed by doctors, or for strong illegal substances.

Examples

El médico recetó un narcótico para calmar el dolor después de la operación.

The doctor prescribed a narcotic to soothe the pain after the surgery.

Medicamento vs. Droga

The most common mistake is using 'droga' for any type of medicine. Remember that 'droga' usually refers to illegal substances, while 'medicamento' is the correct term for legal, health-related medications.

Related Translations

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