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薬 (やく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

薬やく

や

く

Meanings

1

noun

dope; narcotic; drug

slang

Slang term for illegal drugs, especially narcotics. Often used in underworld or street contexts.

See also: 麻薬

警けい察さつは彼かれがヤクを売うっているところを捕つかまえた。
The police caught him selling dope.
あの界かい隈わいではヤクの取とり引ひきがよく行おこなわれているらしい。
Apparently drug deals often happen in that area.

Written forms

薬やくUsage95%
Standard kanji spelling for this slang term, though the reading やく is distinct from the usual くすり.
ヤクUsage5%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is common in slang contexts, emphasizing the illicit or street-drug nuance.

Kanji

薬medicine, chemical, enamel

Similar words

麻ま薬やく
麻薬 is the formal term for narcotics or illegal drugs, while 薬/ヤク is slang with a rougher, more illicit feel.
薬くすり
The standard reading くすり means medicine or drug in general; やく is a slang reading specifically for illegal narcotics.

Etymology

Slang reading of 薬, likely derived from the on'yomi やく, used to distinguish illegal drugs from ordinary medicine (くすり).