Translation guide
The plant Cannabis sativa, its products, and related concepts. In Japanese, the most common term is 大麻 (taima), but other words exist for specific contexts like hemp fiber or slang.
Referring to cannabis as a plant or psychoactive substance in general contexts.
The standard term for cannabis, used in legal, medical, and general contexts. Can refer to the plant or the drug.
Referring to the cannabis plant when used for fiber, seeds, or industrial purposes, not as a drug.
General term for hemp or flax; in context, often refers to cannabis hemp. Used for fibers, ropes, and traditional crafts.
Informal or slang terms for cannabis as a recreational drug.
Common slang term for marijuana, literally 'leaf'. Used in casual conversation.
In Japan, cannabis is strictly illegal under the Cannabis Control Law. Using terms like 大麻 or マリファナ in conversation may carry strong negative connotations or legal implications. Be cautious when discussing this topic.
大麻 (taima) specifically refers to cannabis, often with a focus on the drug aspect. 麻 (asa) is a broader term for hemp or flax and is used in traditional contexts like 麻の葉 (asa no ha, hemp leaf pattern). When talking about industrial hemp, 麻 is more natural unless you need to specify cannabis hemp.
日本では大麻の所持は違法です。
Possession of cannabis is illegal in Japan.
Loanword from Spanish/English, commonly used in informal or international contexts. Often associated with recreational use.
彼はマリファナを吸っているところを見つかった。
He was caught smoking marijuana.
Direct loanword from English, used in some medical or scientific contexts, but less common than 大麻 or マリファナ.
カンナビスは医療目的で使用されることがあります。
Cannabis is sometimes used for medical purposes.
このロープは麻でできています。
This rope is made of hemp.
Can also refer to industrial hemp, but often requires context to distinguish from the drug sense.
大麻の種子は食用にもなります。
Hemp seeds are also edible.
あいつはハッパをやってるらしい。
I heard that guy smokes weed.
Slang term meaning 'grass', similar to English slang. Very informal.
クサを買おうとしたが、高かった。
I tried to buy some weed, but it was expensive.
Slang term possibly derived from 'chocolate', used in some subcultures. Rare and context-dependent.
彼はチョコを吸うのが好きだ。
He likes smoking hash.