1.
venomous snake; poisonous snake
A snake that produces venom and can deliver it through a bite. In Japan, common venomous snakes include the mamushi (pit viper) and habu.
毒蛇に注意。
Watch out for venomous snakes.
山道で毒蛇に噛まれた。
I was bitten by a venomous snake on the mountain trail.
マムシは日本で最も身近な毒蛇のひとつだ。
The mamushi is one of the most commonly encountered venomous snakes in Japan.
Also read as どくじゃ, though どくへび is the more common reading in everyday speech. Strictly speaking, 'venomous' (injecting toxin via bite) is more accurate than 'poisonous' (toxic when ingested), but 毒蛇 covers both in Japanese.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 毒蛇に噛まれる: to be bitten by a venomous snake
- 毒蛇の毒: snake venom
- 毒蛇に注意: warning about venomous snakes
RELATED TERMS:
- マムシ: Japanese pit viper — the most common venomous snake in mainland Japan
- ハブ: habu — a large venomous pit viper found in Okinawa
- 蛇: snake — the general term
- 毒: poison, venom