有毒
yǒudú
The English word "toxic" is translated into Chinese as 有毒 (yǒudú).
While 有毒 can be used metaphorically for people or relationships, it is most commonly used in a literal sense to describe substances, gases or environments that are physically poisonous.
Meaning: severely negative or harmful (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 有 (yǒu), meaning "to have" and 毒 (dú), meaning "poison" or "toxin".
How do you pronounce it?
yǒudú
Did you know?
- In Chinese medicine, the concept of 毒 is not always a chemical poison but can refer to 'toxins' caused by emotional stress or stagnant energy.
- In Chinese, the character 毒 is the root for the word 'drug' 毒品, unlike English where 'toxic' and 'drug' have distinct etymological paths.
- To describe a 'toxic person' in a modern social sense, younger speakers often use the English loanword 'toxic' or the phrase 有毒 as a humorous way to say someone is 'crazy' or 'weird'.
Examples in context
- 这种化学物质是有毒的，必须小心处理。This chemical substance is toxic and must be handled with care.
- 这种食物添加剂对健康有害。This food additive is harmful to health.
- 这家公司的内部笑话太多了，简直有毒！This company has too many inside jokes, it's toxic!
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a former coworker.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你还和那个主管联系吗？Nǐ hái hé nàgè zhǔguǎn liánxì ma?Are you still in touch with that manager?
- 志强 Zhiqiang不联系了，他太有毒了。Bù liánxì le, tā tài yǒudú le.No more, he was too toxic.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我完全同意，他总是贬低别人。Wǒ wánquán tóngyì, tā zǒngshì biǎndī biérén.I completely agree, he always puts others down.
- 志强 Zhiqiang离开那个环境真是太好了。Líkāi nàgè huánjìng zhēnshì tài hǎo le.It's so great to have left that environment.
