毒(どく)

どく
noun
poison, toxin
1. poison, toxin, venom
A substance that causes illness, injury, or death when ingested or absorbed; also includes animal venom.
毒(どく)を盛(も)る。
To poison someone.
この蛇(へび)には毒(どく)がある。
This snake is venomous.
毒(どく)キノコを食(た)べてしまった。
I accidentally ate a poisonous mushroom.
2. something harmful
Figuratively, something that has a harmful or corrupting influence.
甘(あま)い物(もの)は食(た)べすぎると体(からだ)に毒(どく)だ。
Too many sweets are bad for your health.
Figurative use
毒(どく)にも薬(くすり)にもならない。
It's neither harmful nor helpful.
Set expression meaning something is completely ineffective

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 毒(どく)を盛(も)る (to poison)
  • 毒(どく)がある (to be poisonous/venomous)
  • 毒(どく)を吐(は)く (to speak venomously, to badmouth)
  • 毒(どく)キノコ (poisonous mushroom)
  • 毒(どく)蛇(へび) (venomous snake)

RELATED COMPOUNDS:

  • 毒薬(どくやく) (poison, toxic substance)
  • 解毒(げどく) (detoxification)
  • 中毒(ちゅうどく) (poisoning, addiction)
  • 毒性(どくせい) (toxicity)

IDIOMS:

  • 毒(どく)にも薬(くすり)にもならない (neither harmful nor helpful - useless)
  • 毒(どく)を食(く)らわば皿(さら)まで (in for a penny, in for a pound)
general
Added 2026.2.5 11:14
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