有毒な
yūdokuna
The Japanese word for toxic is 有毒な (yūdokuna).
有毒な is used to describe something that is physically toxic or poisonous, such as chemicals or venom.
Meaning: severely negative or harmful (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 有 (existence or possession) and 毒 (poison).
Which one should you use?
有毒な refers specifically to physical toxicity. In English, 'toxic' is often used metaphorically to describe people or environments, but in Japanese, it is rarely used this way. For social or metaphorical toxicity, terms like 毒のある or 有害な are more common.
How does it change in a sentence?
有毒な is a na-adjective, which is why it ends with the particle な when modifying a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
yūdokuna
Did you know?
- The word 毒 is used in the term 毒味, which refers to the ancient practice of 'poison tasting' to ensure a leader's food was safe.
- The kanji for poison, 毒, is also used in the Japanese word for wayward or eccentric, such as in the term 毒舌 (dokuzetsu), which literally translates to 'poison tongue' to describe someone who is sharp-tongued.
- The character 有 in 有毒な is the same one used in 有名 (famous), meaning that someone who is famous literally 'possesses a name'.
Examples in context
- これは有毒なガスです。Kore wa yudoku na gasu desu.This is a toxic gas.
- 有毒な植物に注意してください。Yudoku na shokubutsu ni chuui shite kudasai.Please be careful of toxic plants.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are looking at a warning sign in a garden.
- 結衣 Yui健太、その花に触らないで。Kenta, sono hana ni sawaranaide.Kenta, don't touch that flower.
- 健太 Kentaどうして？きれいだよ。Dōshite? Kirei dayo.Why? It's beautiful.
- 結衣 Yui有毒な植物だと書いてあるよ。Yūdoku na shokubutsu da to kaite aru yo.It says it's a toxic plant.
- 健太 Kentaわかった、気を付けるよ。Wakatta, ki o tsukeru yo.I see, I'll be careful.
