Translation guide
How to express the concept of 'addict' in Japanese, focusing on describing someone addicted to substances, activities, or habits.
Referring to someone with a substance addiction, often in medical or serious contexts.
General term for an addict, especially for drugs or alcohol. Can be used in formal and medical contexts.
彼は薬物中毒者だ。
He is a drug addict.
Medical term for a person with an addiction disorder. More clinical than 中毒者.
彼はアルコール依存症患者として治療を受けている。
He is receiving treatment as an alcohol addict.
Slang term for a drug addict, borrowed from English 'junkie'. Often used informally.
あの界隈にはジャンキーが多い。
There are many junkies in that area.
Describing someone who is obsessed with or cannot stop doing a particular activity.
Suffix meaning 'addiction to ~'. Attach to the object of addiction. Common for gambling, games, internet, etc.
彼はギャンブル中毒だ。
He is a gambling addict.
スマホ中毒の若者が増えている。
Smartphone addicts among young people are increasing.
More clinical term for addiction to a substance or behavior. Often used in medical contexts.
ゲーム依存症の治療が必要だ。
Treatment for game addiction is necessary.
Borrowed from English 'mania', meaning an enthusiast or fanatic. Less severe than addiction, but can imply obsession.
Calling oneself an addict in a light-hearted, positive way to show passion for something.
Can be used self-deprecatingly or proudly to express strong love for something, like 'I'm a coffee addict'.
私はコーヒー中毒です。
I'm a coffee addict.
Originally meaning 'nerd' or 'geek', it can imply an obsessive interest, similar to 'addict' in a niche area.
彼はアニメオタクだ。
He is an anime addict/otaku.
The English word 'addict' is often translated as 中毒者, but in casual conversation, Japanese speakers more commonly use the pattern 〜中毒 (addiction to ~) to describe someone. Saying 彼は中毒者だ without context sounds unnatural; specify the type of addiction.
彼は薬物中毒者だ。
He is a drug addict.
中毒 (ちゅうどく) is a broader term for poisoning or addiction, often used in everyday language. 依存症 (いぞんしょう) is a clinical term for dependence syndrome, used in medical contexts. For serious addictions, 依存症 is more precise.
彼女は完全なチョコレート中毒だ。
She's a total chocoholic.
He is a train maniac (addict).