Meaning and Usage
The word "毒" (どく) primarily means "poison" or "toxic substance." It is used both literally to refer to harmful chemicals or substances and figuratively to describe harmful or malicious things, such as words or attitudes.
Common Contexts
- Literal poison: talking about substances that can cause harm or death if ingested or touched.
- Figurative poison: describing harmful speech, toxic relationships, or negative influences.
Collocations and Patterns
- 毒がある (to be poisonous): used to describe something containing poison.
- 毒をもって毒を制す (fight poison with poison): a common proverb meaning to use the same means as the opponent to overcome them.
- 毒を吐く (to spit poison): to say hurtful or malicious words.
Register and Nuance
"毒" is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When used figuratively, it often implies a strong negative impact, so be careful with tone.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "毒" with "毒素" (どくそ), which specifically means "toxin." "毒" is broader and can refer to any poison, while "毒素" is more scientific and specific.