Korean Dictionary
How to say "Substance Abuse" in Korean
“Substance Abuse” in Korean is 약물 남용 (pronounced "yangmul namyong").
약물 남용
yangmul namyong
Usage & Context
Substance abuse is the harmful use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances. Korea has treatment centers and rehabilitation programs for those struggling with 약물 남용, particularly alcohol dependency.
Example Sentence
약물 남용은 정신 건강과 신체 건강 모두를 해친다.
Substance abuse harms both mental and physical health.
How to use 약물 남용 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Substance Abuse” is 약물 남용, romanized as yangmul namyong.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 약물 남용.
Pronunciation Guide
약물 (yangmul) sounds like 'yahng-mool'. 'Yahng' rhymes with 'song' but with a 'yah' sound, and 'mool' is like 'pool'. 남용 (namyong) is pronounced 'nahm-yong'. 'Nahm' is like 'calm', and 'yong' rhymes with 'song'. Stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable of each word.
More Example Sentences
A public health announcement.
약물 남용은 개인의 삶뿐만 아니라 가족에게도 큰 고통을 준다.
Substance abuse brings great suffering not only to the individual's life but also to their family.
A policy recommendation.
정부는 약물 남용 예방 교육을 강화해야 한다.
The government should strengthen substance abuse prevention education.
Describing someone's recovery journey.
그는 약물 남용 문제를 극복하기 위해 치료를 받고 있다.
He is receiving treatment to overcome his substance abuse problem.
Cultural Context
While '약물 남용' directly translates to substance abuse, in Korea, discussions often heavily focus on alcohol ('술,' sul) due to its pervasive role in social and business culture. However, there's growing awareness and concern about illicit drug use, particularly among younger generations, and the government has been increasing efforts to combat it. Unlike some Western countries, cannabis use is strictly prohibited and heavily stigmatized. Mental health campaigns increasingly link substance abuse to underlying mental health issues, encouraging professional help rather than solely relying on willpower.
Editorial note
We review entries like 약물 남용 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
약물 남용은 심각한 문제입니다.
Substance abuse is a serious problem.
도움이 필요하면 전문가에게 연락하세요.
If you need help, contact a professional.
약물 남용 예방 캠페인.
Substance abuse prevention campaign.
Related Expressions
알코올 중독
alkool jungdok
Alcohol addiction
마약
mayak
Illicit drugs
중독
jungdok
Addiction
재활 치료
jaehwal chiryo
Rehabilitation treatment
More Mental Health & Wellness Words
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