독
dok[to̞k̚]
The English word "poison" is translated into Korean as 독 (dok).
독 is a noun referring to a substance harmful to a living organism. You can use the phrase 독이 있다 to say that something is poisonous or has poison, which literally translates to "poison exists." Additionally, the verb 독살하다 can be used to mean using poison to kill or paralyze.
Meaning: substance harmful to a living organism (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When 독 is the direct object of a verb, it takes the object marker 을, as in the form 독을.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is dok.
Did you know?
- There is a common Korean idiom 독하다, derived from the noun 독, used to describe someone who is incredibly stubborn, tenacious or cold-hearted.
- The phrase 독을 품다, meaning 'to harbor poison', is used metaphorically to describe someone holding a deep grudge or hidden hatred.
- In certain traditional Korean contexts, the word 독 can refer to a large earthenware jar, though this is a different character and concept than the poison 'dok'.
Examples in context
- 이 투명한 액체는 독을 포함하고 있다.This transparent liquid contains poison.Tatoeba #1532989 by mysonhs, translation #57644 by Lumi
- 이 식물은 독이 있으니 주의하세요.This plant is poisonous, so be careful.
- 독극물이라서 손으로 만지면 안 돼요.Don't touch it with your hands because it's poisonous.
- 뱀은 독이 있어요.baem-eun dok-i iss-eo-yo.The snake has poison.
- 그 식물은 독이 매우 강해요.geu sik-mul-eun dok-i mae-u gang-hae-yo.That plant is very poisonous.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are looking at a colorful insect in a garden.
- 민준 Min-jun서연아, 저 벌레 좀 봐.Seo-yeon-ah, jeo beol-re jom bwa.Seoyeon, look at that insect.
- 서연 Seo-yeon조심해, 저건 독이 있을지도 몰라.jo-sim-hae, jeo-geon dok-i iss-eul-ji-do mol-la.Be careful, it might have poison.
- 민준 Min-jun정말? 가까이 가지 말아야겠다.jeong-mal? ga-kka-i ga-ji mal-a-ya-get-da.Really? I shouldn't go near it.
- 서연 Seo-yeon응, 민준아, 멀리서 보는 게 좋아.eung, Min-jun-ah, meol-ri-seo bo-neun ge jo-a.Yes, Minjun, it's better to watch from a distance.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poison” translations and entries 독, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
