narcotic
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narcotic
A substance that causes a state of intoxication and affects perception, thinking, and feeling. The term is a formal expression for illegal drugs, often used in legal or police contexts.
Der Handel mit Rauschgift wird mit hohen Strafen geahndet.
Trafficking in narcotics is punished with severe penalties.
The word is made up of 'Rausch' (intoxication) and 'Gift' (poison). So it literally describes a poison that causes a state of intoxication, that is, a strong positive or negative sensation.
Die Polizei fand bei der Kontrolle eine große Menge Rauschgift.
During the check, the police found a large amount of narcotics.
The word component 'Gift' means 'poison' in German, not 'gift' (present). So 'Rauschgift' (narcotic) is a dangerous substance, not a present.
Der Besitz von Rauschgift ist in Deutschland illegal.
Possession of narcotics is illegal in Germany.
'Rauschgift' (narcotic) is a formal and official term. It is mainly used in legal texts, by the police, in court, or in the news.
Er wurde wegen des Schmuggels von Rauschgift verhaftet.
He was arrested for smuggling narcotics.
In official language, you often find fixed combinations such as 'Handel mit Rauschgift' (trafficking in narcotics), 'Rauschgift schmuggeln' (to smuggle narcotics), 'Besitz von Rauschgift' (possession of narcotics), or 'unter dem Einfluss von Rauschgift stehen' (to be under the influence of narcotics).
Der Handel mit Rauschgift über die Grenze hat zugenommen.
Trafficking in narcotics across the border has increased.
drug
Die Droge and das Rauschgift can refer to the same illegal substance. Rauschgift sounds more formal and is especially common in police or official texts, while Droge is the neutral and more common term in everyday language. Choose Rauschgift in an official context and Droge in normal conversation.
Im Polizeibericht wurde Kokain als gefährliches Rauschgift bezeichnet.
In the police report, cocaine was described as a dangerous narcotic.
Im Gespräch nannte sie Kokain eine gefährliche Droge.
In conversation, she called cocaine a dangerous drug.
