toxique
/tɔk.sik/
The English word "toxic" is translated into French as toxique.
The adjective toxique is used to describe something that is severely negative or harmful.
Meaning: severely negative or harmful (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective toxique is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɔk.sik/
Did you know?
- The word toxique is a linguistic descendant of the word for a bow. It traces its lineage back to the Ancient Greek word tóxon, meaning an archery bow, because poison was originally used to tip arrows.
- While toxique describes the harm, French speakers often use the term pervers narcissique to describe the specific psychological profile of a toxic person.
- In French environmental law, substances that are toxiques are often categorized separately from those that are nocifs, which suggests a lower level of harm.
Examples in context
- Le plomb est un métal toxique.Lead is a toxic metal.This sentence shows how to describe a toxic metal.Tatoeba #12804050 by lbdx, translation #5748292 by CM
- Est-ce que l'hexane est toxique ?Is hexane toxic?This sentence shows how to ask if a substance is toxic.Tatoeba #4473972 by Petrus, translation #4458100 by mervert1
- Ziri était dans une relation toxique.Ziri was in a toxic relationship.This sentence uses the term to describe a toxic relationship.Tatoeba #11756648 by Amastan, translation #10243464 by Amastan
- Ces plantes sont toxiquesThese plants are toxic.
- Cette substance est nocive pour la santéThis substance is harmful to health.
- Cette personne est vraiment chianteThis person is really toxic/annoying.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are discussing a former friend.
- NathanPourquoi ne vois-tu plus Marc ?Why don't you see Marc anymore?
- LéaIl est devenu trop toxique pour moi.He became too toxic for me.
- NathanC'est triste, mais c'est mieux comme ça.That's sad, but it's better this way.
- LéaOui, je me sens mieux maintenant.Yes, I feel better now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry toxique, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries toxique, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
