有毒
The English word 'toxic' is translated into Mandarin as 有毒.
有毒 is primarily used in a literal, physical sense to describe substances or gases that are poisonous. While it can be used metaphorically for people or relationships, 有毒 is primarily used in a literal, physical sense to describe substances or gases that are poisonous.
Meaning: severely negative or harmful (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 有毒 is composed of 有 (yǒu), meaning 'to have' and 毒 (dú), meaning 'poison'.
Which one should you use?
For describing a 'toxic environment' or 'toxic relationship' in a social or psychological sense, 有害 (yǒuhài – harmful) or 恶劣 (èliè – bad/deteriorating) is more natural than 有毒.
Did you know?
- In modern internet slang, the phrase 有毒 is sometimes used ironically to describe something 'absurd' or 'weird' rather than harmful.
- The character for 'poison' 毒 is used in the word 毒舌 (dúshé), which literally means 'poison tongue' and describes someone who is cutting or sarcastic.
- While 有毒 means 'poisonous', the phrase 中毒 (zhòngdú) means 'to be poisoned' and is also used metaphorically to mean 'addicted' to something.
Examples in context
- 这种化学物质是 有毒 的This chemical substance is toxic.
- 这种物质是有毒的。Zhè zhǒng wùzhì shì yǒu dú de.This substance is toxic.
- 小心，那些蘑菇是有毒的。Xiǎoxīn, nàxiē mógū shì yǒu dú de.Be careful, those mushrooms are toxic.
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are walking through a forest.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，不要碰那朵红色的花。Xiǎowén, bùyào pèng nà duǒ hóngsè de huā.Xiaowen, don't touch that red flower.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen为什么？它看起来很漂亮。Wèishéme? Tā kàn qǐlái hěn piàoliang.Why? It looks very beautiful.
- 伟 Wei因为这种植物是有毒的。Yīnwèi zhè zhǒng zhíwù shì yǒu dú de.Because this plant is toxic.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢你提醒我。Xièxiè nǐ tíxǐng wǒ.Thank you for reminding me.
