Table of Contents

Drugs of Abuse: Chinese Translation

Drugs of Abuse_ Chinese Translation

Drugs of Abuse (Illicit Drugs)

The most common drugs of abuse or illicit drugs in the West with Chinese translations. This list should be useful for English-Chinese translators, interpreters in legal and medical contexts. 

NameAlternative NameChinesePinyin
Marijuanacannabis, weed, pot大麻dàmá
Ecstasyadam, clarity摇头丸yáotóuwán
Prescription drugs处方药chǔfāngyào
Methamphetaminemeth, crystal meth, ice冰毒bīngdú
Cocainecoke可卡因kěkǎyīn
Heroinsmack海洛因hǎiluòyīn
Painkillersanalgesics镇痛药zhèntòngyào
LSDacid迷幻剂míhuànjì
Opium鸦片yāpiàn
Ketaminespecial KK粉k fěn
Inhalants吸入剂xīrùjì
Magic mushroomsshrooms迷幻蘑菇míhuàn mógu

Marijuana

Marijuana usually refers to the hemp plant “Cannabis sativa” and its dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds. The hemp plant Cannabis sativa contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a mind-altering chemical. In contrast, in some countries, medical marijuana is legal and not classified as a drug of abuse or illicit drugs anymore.

Street Names: Ganja, Dope, Pot, Smoke, Weed, Blunt, Bud,  Grass, Green, Herb, Joint, Mary Jane, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk

Common Forms:  Greenish-gray mixture (depends on location) of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and/or flowers;

Common Ways Taken: Smoked, eaten


MMDA Ecstasy (Club drug)

A synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. Similar to hallucinogens, this illicit drug produces a feeling of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory including time perception. Consequently, this drug of abuse is popular in club parties.

Street Names: Lover’s Speed, Peace, Adam, Clarity, Eve, Uppers

Common Forms: Tablets with imprinted logos in different colors, powder, liquid

Common Ways Taken: Swallowed, snorted


Methamphetamine

A stimulant drug is available in two forms powder and crystal forms.

Street Names: Meth, Speed, Crank, Chalk, Crystal, Fire, Glass, Go Fast, Ice

Common Forms: White powder. For crystal meth, it looks like pieces of glass or shiny blue-white rocks

Common Ways Taken: Swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected


Cocaine

Made from the leaves of the coca plant. Commonly used for medical treatments such as local anesthesia for some surgeries. Local street dealers often mix it with other powders such as cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour for higher profits.

Street Names: Crack, Flake, Rock, Snow, Blow, Bump, Candy, Charlie, Coke,  Toot

Common Forms: White powder, whitish rock crystal

Common Ways Taken: Snorted, smoked, injected


Heroin (Traditional Drugs of Abuse)

A natural substance from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants.

Street Names: Brown sugar, Dope, H, Horse, China White,  Junk, Skag, Skunk, Smack

Common Forms:  powder (white or brown), or black sticky

Common Ways Taken: Injected, smoked, snorted


LSD (Hallucinogen)

LSD alters perception, thoughts, and feelings. It causes trips or sensations, where images seem real though they are not.

Street Names: Acid, Stamp, Blotter, Blue Heaven, Cubes, Microdot, Yellow Sunshine

Common Forms: Tablet, capsule, small, decorated squares of absorbent paper (like stamps)

Common Ways Taken: Swallowed, chewed


Magic mushrooms

A mushroom that causes hallucination grown in some parts of the world.

Street Names: Shrooms, Little Smoke, Magic Mushrooms, Purple Passion

Common Forms: Fresh or dried mushrooms topped by caps with dark gills

Common Ways Taken: Swallowed


Ketamine (Yes, Drugs of abuse)

Also, a powerful dissociative drug (a hallucinogen) that causes you to feel detached from reality.

Street Names: Special K, Vitamin K, Cat Valium, K,

Common Forms: Liquid, white powder

Common Ways Taken: Injected, snorted, smoked (powder added to tobacco or marijuana cigarettes), swallowed


Inhalants

It refers to the various substances that people typically take only by inhaling such as solvents, aerosol sprays, gases, and nitrites. Hence, the name “Inhalants”.

Street Names: Poppers, snappers, whippets, laughing gas

Common Forms: Several forms such as paint thinners or removers

Common Ways Taken: Inhaled (nose or mouth)


Prescription drugs and Painkillers

These drugs are prescribed by a doctor, which can help in treating many illnesses. For instance, Opioids are prescribed to treat pain, coughing, and diarrhea. But when misused, it can have serious consequences. However, it is still a question to classify it as a drug of abuse.

Common Forms: Tablet, capsule

Common ways Taken: Swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected

Finally, this covers almost all drugs of abuse or illicit drugs commonly used in the West.

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