Translation guide
A substance that increases alertness, energy, or bodily functions. In Japanese, the translation depends on context: medical/physiological, recreational/drugs, or figurative (something that stimulates activity).
A substance that temporarily increases the activity of the body or nervous system, such as caffeine or amphetamines.
General term for any stimulating substance, often used in medical or dietary contexts.
カフェインは刺激物です。
Caffeine is a stimulant.
Specifically refers to substances that excite the central nervous system; used in pharmacology.
この薬は興奮剤として作用します。
This drug acts as a stimulant.
Refers to stimulant drugs, especially illegal amphetamines. Strongly associated with drug abuse.
Often implies illegal substances; use with care.
覚醒剤の使用は法律で禁止されています。
The use of stimulant drugs is prohibited by law.
A drug taken for its euphoric or energizing effects, often illegally.
The standard term for illegal stimulant drugs like methamphetamine.
彼は覚醒剤で逮捕された。
He was arrested for stimulant drugs.
A more general term for stimulant drugs, but less common than 覚醒剤 in legal contexts.
Loanword from English, often used colloquially for recreational drugs in general, including stimulants.
Something that makes a person or thing more active or energetic, not a physical substance.
Broadly means 'stimulus' or 'stimulation'; can be used figuratively for something that provokes action or excitement.
競争は経済の刺激となる。
Competition acts as a stimulant for the economy.
Literally 'detonator'; used figuratively for something that triggers a burst of activity or change.
Means 'source of vitality'; used for something that energizes a person or group.
音楽は私の活力源だ。
Music is a stimulant for me.
When using 'stimulant' figuratively (e.g., 'a stimulant for the economy'), do not directly translate as 刺激物. Use 刺激 or 起爆剤 instead.
観光は地域経済の刺激になる。
Tourism is a stimulant for the local economy.
刺激物 is a neutral term for any stimulating substance (e.g., caffeine, spices). 覚醒剤 specifically refers to illegal stimulant drugs like amphetamines and carries a strong criminal connotation.
刺激薬の乱用は健康を害します。
Abuse of stimulants harms your health.
彼はドラッグをやっている。
He's doing drugs (stimulants).
その政策が景気回復の起爆剤となった。
That policy became a stimulant for economic recovery.