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吸毒 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
吸毒xīdúto take drugsHSK 7, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #2439, Very Hard
xīdú(xi1du2) T1
  1. 1to take drugs
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March 24, 2026

吸毒xīdú(xi1du2)

The term 吸毒 (xī dú) refers to the act of taking illegal drugs. It is commonly used in discussions about substance abuse and public health issues in China. This phrase implies a serious social problem and carries negative connotations, often associated with addiction and crime.

Strokes15Frequency#2439DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese society, discussions about 吸毒 are often tied to government campaigns against drug abuse, reflecting a strong societal stance on maintaining public health. The issue is also linked to organized crime and law enforcement.

Memory Tip

Think of 吸 as 'to suck' (like a vacuum), and 毒 as 'poison'. Imagine a person 'sucking in poison', which vividly illustrates the harmful act of drug use and helps you remember the pronunciation xi1 du2.

Meanings of 吸毒

xīdú(xi1du2)
1to take drugs
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About 吸毒

吸毒Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 吸毒

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AI Study Notes for 吸毒

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; 吸 (xī) has a high level tone, while 毒 (dú) has a rising tone. This phrase is generally used in serious or formal contexts, such as legal discussions or health campaigns. Avoid using it lightly or in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

While 吸毒 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to HSK Level 3 topics like health and safety. Students should focus on understanding the implications of drug use in society, as well as related vocabulary like 毒品 (dú pǐn) meaning 'drugs'.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 吸毒 with 吸烟 (xī yān), which means 'to smoke'. Remember, 吸毒 refers specifically to drug use. A common mistake is saying 吸烟 when intending to refer to drug use.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 吸毒

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Component Characters

吸xīto breathe
HSK 46 strokes口
View full entry
毒dúpoison
HSK 69 strokes母
View full entry

How to say to take drugs in Chinese

“to take drugs” in Chinese is吸毒xīdú

The term 吸毒 (xī dú) refers to the act of taking illegal drugs. It is commonly used in discussions about substance abuse and public health issues in China. This phrase implies a serious social problem and carries negative connotations, often associated with addiction and crime.

When to use 吸毒

Be cautious with the tone; 吸 (xī) has a high level tone, while 毒 (dú) has a rising tone. This phrase is generally used in serious or formal contexts, such as legal discussions or health campaigns. Avoid using it lightly or in casual conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 吸毒 with 吸烟 (xī yān), which means 'to smoke'. Remember, 吸毒 refers specifically to drug use. A common mistake is saying 吸烟 when intending to refer to drug use.

Write 吸毒

吸
毒

Practice writing 吸毒 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 吸毒

Yes, 吸毒 specifically refers to the use of illegal drugs, not prescription medications or legal substances.

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