gif
/ɣɪf/neuter
The English word poison translates to Dutch as gif. Wiktionary also lists vergif and vergift.
Meaning: substance harmful to a living organism (noun)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gif | /ɣɪf/ | neuter |
| vergif | neuter | |
| vergift | /vərˈɣɪft/ | neuter |
The word refers to a substance that is harmful to a living organism.
Which one should you use?
The word 'gif' is the standard, most common term for poison used in everyday speech and science, vergif is also a form of the word.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective form of gif is giftig, used to describe something that contains or is poisonous. The verb vergiftigen is used to describe the act of administering poison to someone or something.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɣɪf/
Did you know?
- The word vergif contains a linguistic connection to the obsolete sense of 'to forgive', which once meant 'to poison'.
- Because giftig means 'poisonous' in Dutch, English speakers should be careful not to confuse it with the English word 'gifted'.
- While gif means 'poison' in Dutch, the word gift still exists in the language today to mean 'a present'.
Examples in context
- Ook dat is giftig.That is poison as well.This sentence is useful for using the adjective form giftig.Tatoeba #4699233 by PaulP, translation #4698307 by Josefwintzent
- Hij dronk gif en stierf.He drank poison and died.This sentence is useful for using the noun gif.Tatoeba #5117390 by PaulP, translation #11896111 by tatoebashrek
- Hij wou haar vergiftigen.He wanted to poison her.This sentence is useful for using the verb form vergiftigen.Tatoeba #12350795 by megamanenm, translation #8521382 by CH
- Hij is vergiftigd door gif.He was poisoned by poison.
- Ze heeft per ongeluk gif ingenomen.She accidentally consumed poison.
- Gif kan ernstige gevolgen hebben.Poison can have serious consequences.
- Het drankje bevat giftige stoffen.The drink contains poisonous substances.
- Ik raad je aan om dat voedsel te vermijden, het is vergiftigd.I advise you to avoid that food, it is poisoned.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Noah are examining a mysterious bottle in a garden.
- JuliaIs dit gif?Is this poison?
- NoahIk denk van wel.I think so.
- JuliaPas op, het is gevaarlijk.Watch out, it is dangerous.
- NoahIk ga het niet aanraken.I am not going to touch it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poison” translations and entries gif, vergif, vergift, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gif, vergif, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
