How to Say "drugs" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “drugs” is “medicamentos” — use 'medicamentos' when referring to any medicine that you buy at a pharmacy, whether it requires a prescription or is available over-the-counter..
medicamentos
meh-dee-kah-MEN-tohs/me.ði.kaˈmen.tos/
Examples
Necesito ir a la farmacia a comprar mis medicamentos.
I need to go to the pharmacy to buy my medicines.
El doctor me recetó unos medicamentos muy fuertes.
The doctor prescribed me some very strong drugs (medication).
Es importante seguir las instrucciones de los medicamentos al pie de la letra.
It is important to follow the medication instructions exactly.
Always Plural
When talking about medicine in general, or multiple types of pills, we usually use the plural 'medicamentos,' even when English might use the singular 'medicine'.
The Singular Form
If you are referring to a single type of medicine or drug, the singular is 'el medicamento' (which means 'the medicine').
Confusing Medicine
Mistake: “Me siento mal y necesito una medicina.”
Correction: Me siento mal y necesito medicamentos.
medicinas
meh-dee-SEE-nahs/meðiˈsinas/
Examples
Necesito comprar mis medicinas en la farmacia.
I need to buy my medicines at the pharmacy.
El doctor me recetó unas medicinas muy fuertes.
The doctor prescribed me some very strong drugs.
¿Dónde guardas todas las medicinas para los niños?
Where do you keep all the medicines for the children?
Plural Form
This word is the plural form of 'medicina' (medicine). You use it when talking about multiple types of medication or a general supply of drugs.
English Singular vs. Spanish Plural
Mistake: “Using 'medicina' when referring to multiple pills or doses, like 'Tomo mi medicina.'”
Correction: Spanish often uses the plural 'medicinas' even when English might use the singular 'medicine' for a general treatment: 'Tomo mis medicinas.' (I take my medicine/drugs.)
drogas
/DRO-gas//ˈdɾoɣas/
Examples
El gobierno tiene una nueva campaña contra el abuso de drogas.
The government has a new campaign against drug abuse.
La policía encontró drogas en el coche del sospechoso.
The police found drugs in the suspect's car.
Hablaron en la escuela sobre los peligros de las drogas.
They talked at school about the dangers of drugs.
La farmacéutica investiga nuevas drogas para tratar el cáncer.
The pharmaceutical company is researching new drugs to treat cancer.
Singular vs. Plural
While 'una droga' (one drug) is correct, you'll most often hear the plural 'drogas' when people talk about the general problem or concept of illegal drugs.
Potential for Confusion
Mistake: “Voy a la farmacia a comprar drogas para mi dolor de cabeza.”
Correction: It's much clearer to say, 'Voy a comprar medicamentos (or medicinas)'. Using 'drogas' in a pharmacy could be seriously misunderstood, even though it's technically correct in a medical sense.
drogas
/DRO-gas//ˈdɾoɣas/
Examples
La farmacéutica investiga nuevas drogas para tratar el cáncer.
The pharmaceutical company is researching new drugs to treat cancer.
El gobierno tiene una nueva campaña contra el abuso de drogas.
The government has a new campaign against drug abuse.
La policía encontró drogas en el coche del sospechoso.
The police found drugs in the suspect's car.
Hablaron en la escuela sobre los peligros de las drogas.
They talked at school about the dangers of drugs.
Singular vs. Plural
While 'una droga' (one drug) is correct, you'll most often hear the plural 'drogas' when people talk about the general problem or concept of illegal drugs.
Potential for Confusion
Mistake: “Voy a la farmacia a comprar drogas para mi dolor de cabeza.”
Correction: It's much clearer to say, 'Voy a comprar medicamentos (or medicinas)'. Using 'drogas' in a pharmacy could be seriously misunderstood, even though it's technically correct in a medical sense.
Confusing 'drogas' with medicines
Related Translations
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