有毒な
yūdoku na
The English word "venomous" is translated into Japanese as 有毒な (yūdoku na).
The term 有毒な is used to describe an animal or parts of its body that produce venom, usually injected into a prey or enemy through a bite or sting. It can also describe a bite or sting that injects venom. While English speakers often distinguish between "venomous" (injected) and "poisonous" (ingested), the Japanese term is used broadly to cover both types of toxicity. In scientific or medical contexts, the core term 有毒 represents both "venomous" and "poisonous". You may also see the phrase 毒を持った, which literally means "possessing venom" and can describe animals, plants or anything else with a toxic nature.
Meaning: of an animal or parts of its body: producing venom which is usually injected into an enemy or prey by biting or stinging, of a bite or sting: injecting venom (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 有, which means "to have" and 毒, which means "poison".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a na-adjective, which means you must include the particle な when it directly precedes a noun.
How do you pronounce it?
yūdoku na
Did you know?
- In Japanese, 毒 is used in the phrase 毒を吐く to describe someone speaking harshly or spitefully, similar to the English idiom 'spitting venom'.
- While 有毒な is a general term, the specific word 毒々しい describes something with colors so vivid or gaudy that they look dangerously venomous.
- The character 有 in 有毒な is the same root used in 有能, which means 'competent' or 'talented'.
Examples in context
- 彼女の詩は毒々しい感じがする。Her poetry gives off a venomous vibe.
- このサソリは有毒ですので触れないでください。Do not touch this scorpion as it is venomous.
- 有毒な生物には十分に注意してください。Yūdoku na seibutsu ni wa jūbun ni chūi shite kudasai.Please be very careful of venomous creatures.
Example conversation
Two friends are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- 結衣 Yuiあのヘビは有毒なのかな？Ano hebi wa yūdoku na no kana?I wonder if that snake is venomous?
- 蓮 Renうん、とても有毒な種類だよ。Un, totemo yūdoku na shurui da yo.Yeah, it's a very venomous species.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くん、絶対に触らないでね。Ren-kun, zettai ni sawaranaide ne.Ren, please don't ever touch it.
- 蓮 Renわかっているよ、危ないからね。Wakatte iru yo, abunai kara ne.I know, because it's dangerous.
