venin
/və.nɛ̃/masculine
The English word "venom" is venin in French.
venin is a masculine noun used to describe an animal toxin that is intended for offensive use.
Meaning: an animal toxin intended for offensive use (noun)
Which one should you use?
In French, venin is used specifically for biological toxins injected by animals. This differs from the word poison, which refers to substances that are ingested or absorbed.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /və.nɛ̃/.
Did you know?
- The word venin comes from the Latin venēnum, which originally referred to any magic potion, drug or charm, not just a deadly toxin.
- In French, the term venimeux is used to describe a person's character as spiteful or malicious, moving the biological meaning into a psychological one.
- If you describe a snake as having poison in French, a listener may think the snake has been poisoned by something it ate rather than being dangerous itself.
Examples in context
- Le venin de ce serpent est très puissant.This snake's venom is very potent.This sentence shows how to describe the potency of a snake's venin.Tatoeba #12252553 by lbdx, translation #3162872 by Hybrid
- Les abeilles pollinisent les fleurs et les arbres, récoltent le nectar pour faire du miel, de la propolis et du venin d'abeille.Bees pollinate flowers and trees, and collect nectar to make honey, bee glue and bee venom.This sentence describes how bees collect nectar to produce honey, propolis and venin.Tatoeba #6916888 by Micsmithel, translation #6703979 by Micsmithel
- cracher son veninTo spit venomThis phrase is useful for the expression meaning 'to spit venin'.
- le venin de serpentSnake venom
- le poison d'un scorpionThe venom of a scorpion
- Éloigne-toi du venin ! Il est dangereux.Stay away from the venom! It's dangerous
- Le venin de cette araignée est extrêmement toxique.The venom of this spider is extremely toxic.
- Les scientifiques étudient les propriétés du venin de serpent.Scientists are studying the properties of snake venom.
- Ne touche pas à ce serpent, son venin est dangereux !Don't touch that snake, its venom is dangerous!
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are watching a nature documentary about snakes.
- NathanEst-ce que ce serpent a du venin ?Does this snake have venom?
- LéaOui, son venin est mortel.Yes, its venom is deadly.
- NathanC'est impressionnant et terrifiant.It is impressive and terrifying.
- LéaLe venin de ce reptile est très rapide.This reptile's venom is very fast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “venom” translations and entries venin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries venin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
