how to say “drugs” in Hebrew

 

סַמִּים
 

 

 
The Modern-Hebrew word for drugs is סַמִּים   , while one drug is סַם   . These refer to street drugs only – the word for medicine is תְּרוּפָה   .
 
For example:
 
סַמִּים בְּדֶרֶךְ כְּלָל מְמַכְּרִים.
(Street) drugs are usually addictive.
 
 
The word has been used by Hebrew speakers and writers since Biblical times, but then it referred to fragrant spices. In Mishnaic Hebrew the word began to mean a substance that influences human thought and behavior – סַם הַמָּוֶת    – drug of death, and סַם הַחַיִּים    elixir or drug of life.

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