When something is 有毒な (yūdoku na), it means it's poisonous or toxic. Think of things that can harm you if you touch or eat them. For example, some plants are poisonous, and some chemicals are toxic. If something is 有毒な, you should be very careful around it.
When something is 有毒な (yūdoku na), it means it's poisonous or toxic. Think of something that, if ingested or touched, could cause harm or even death. This adjective is used to describe substances, plants, animals, or even gases that produce poison.
For example, if you see a mushroom that looks suspicious, you might say it's 有毒な. Similarly, some snakes are 有毒な because their bite injects venom. It's a very practical word to know when you need to clearly state that something is harmful due to its toxic properties.
When talking about something that's toxic or poisonous, you'll often hear the word 有毒な (yūdoku na). This adjective is used for things that are literally poisonous, like a snake or a mushroom. For example, a doctor might say that a certain chemical is 有毒な when explaining its harmful effects. You can also hear it in news reports about environmental issues, describing waste as 有毒な. The CEFR B1 level indicates it's a common and practical word to know.
Alright, let's break down how to use the Japanese adjective 有毒な (yūdoku na). This word means "poisonous," "toxic," or "producing poison." It's a B1 level word, so you'll hear it often in contexts talking about harmful substances, animals, or plants.
§ The "na-adjective" structure
有毒な (yūdoku na) is what we call a "na-adjective" (or adjectival noun). This means it works a bit differently from "i-adjectives" like 新しい (atarashii - new).
- Before a Noun
- When 有毒な (yūdoku na) comes directly before a noun, you need to keep the な (na) particle. This connects the adjective to the noun.
有毒なキノコを食べると、病気になるかもしれません。
(Yūdoku na kinoko o taberu to, byōki ni naru kamo shiremasen.)
If you eat poisonous mushrooms, you might get sick.
その植物には有毒な成分が含まれています。
(Sono shokubutsu ni wa yūdoku na seibun ga fukumarete imasu.)
That plant contains toxic ingredients.
- At the end of a Sentence (as a predicate)
- When 有毒な (yūdoku na) ends a sentence and describes the subject, you'll typically see it followed by です (desu) or だ (da) for politeness or informality.
このガスはとても有毒です。
(Kono gasu wa totemo yūdoku desu.)
This gas is very toxic.
そのヘビは有毒だと警告された。
(Sono hebi wa yūdoku da to keikoku sareta.)
I was warned that the snake was poisonous.
§ Making it an Adverb
If you want to use 有毒な (yūdoku na) to describe a verb (e.g., "poisonously affects"), you change the な (na) to に (ni). This turns the adjective into an adverb.
この物質は環境に有毒に影響する可能性があります。
(Kono busshitsu wa kankyō ni yūdoku ni eikyō suru kanōsei ga arimasu.)
This substance may toxically affect the environment.
§ Negative Forms
To say something is "not poisonous" or "not toxic," you'll use the negative forms. Again, the na-adjective structure changes things a bit.
- じゃない (janai) or ではありません (dewa arimasen): Used at the end of a sentence.
このヘビは有毒ではありません。
(Kono hebi wa yūdoku dewa arimasen.)
This snake is not poisonous.
その植物は有毒じゃないから大丈夫だよ。
(Sono shokubutsu wa yūdoku ja nai kara daijōbu da yo.)
That plant is not toxic, so it's okay.
§ Past Tense
To say something "was poisonous" or "was toxic," you use the past tense forms.
- だった (datta) or でした (deshita): Used at the end of a sentence.
その化学物質は以前は有毒でした。
(Sono kagaku busshitsu wa izen wa yūdoku deshita.)
That chemical substance was toxic before.
彼が持っていたのは有毒だったらしい。
(Kare ga motteita no wa yūdoku datta rashii.)
It seems what he had was poisonous.
Understanding these basic structures for na-adjectives will help you use 有毒な (yūdoku na) correctly in various situations. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it quickly!
§ Meaning of 有毒な (yūdoku na)
The Japanese adjective 有毒な (yūdoku na) translates to "poisonous," "toxic," or "producing poison." It's used to describe substances, plants, animals, or even gases that can harm living things.
- Japanese Word
- 有毒な (yūdoku na)
- Definition
- Poisonous; toxic; producing poison.
- CEFR Level
- B1
§ How to Use 有毒な (yūdoku na)
Since 有毒な is a な-adjective, it modifies nouns by placing な directly after it. For example, 有毒な植物 (yūdoku na shokubutsu) means "poisonous plant." When used predicatively, it's followed by です or だ.
このキノコは有毒なので食べられません。
Kono kinoko wa yūdoku na node taberaremasen.
This mushroom is poisonous, so you can't eat it.
そのガスは人体に有毒です。
Sono gasu wa jintai ni yūdoku desu.
That gas is toxic to the human body.
いくつかの美しい植物には有毒な部分があります。
Ikutsuka no utsukushii shokubutsu ni wa yūdoku na bubun ga arimasu.
Some beautiful plants have poisonous parts.
§ Similar Words and When to Use 有毒な vs. Alternatives
While 有毒な (yūdoku na) is a straightforward way to say "poisonous" or "toxic," let's look at some related words and nuances.
- 毒 (doku): This is the noun for "poison" or "venom." You'll often see it combined with other words.
蛇の毒は非常に危険です。
Hebi no doku wa hijō ni kiken desu.
Snake venom is very dangerous.
- 毒性 (dokusei): This noun means "toxicity" or "poisonous nature." It refers to the degree or property of being poisonous.
この化学物質は高い毒性を持っています。
Kono kagaku busshitsu wa takai dokusei o motteimasu.
This chemical substance has high toxicity.
- 毒性の (dokusei no): This is a な-adjective meaning "toxic" or "poisonous," derived from 毒性. It's often interchangeable with 有毒な, but 有毒な tends to be slightly more common for general descriptions of something being poisonous. 毒性の might emphasize the *property* of toxicity a bit more.
毒性の物質は適切に処理する必要があります。
Dokusei no busshitsu wa tekisetsu ni shori suru hitsuyō ga arimasu.
Toxic substances need to be handled properly.
- 有害な (yūgai na): This word means "harmful" or "detrimental." It's a broader term than 有毒な. Something 有害な can be harmful without necessarily being poisonous (e.g., loud noise, bad habits). Use 有毒な specifically when referring to substances that cause harm through chemical or biological poison.
喫煙は健康に有害です。
Kitsuen wa kenkō ni yūgai desu.
Smoking is harmful to health.
In summary, stick with 有毒な (yūdoku na) when you want to directly express that something is "poisonous" or "toxic" in a clear, general sense. Use 毒 (doku) for the noun "poison" itself, and 毒性の (dokusei no) if you want to emphasize the *quality* of being toxic. For broader harm, use 有害な (yūgai na).
Exemples par niveau
このキノコは有毒な可能性があるので、食べないでください。
This mushroom has poisonous potential, so please do not eat it.
その植物の葉には有毒な成分が含まれています。
The leaves of that plant contain toxic components.
有毒なガスが漏れていて、避難が必要です。
Poisonous gas is leaking, and evacuation is necessary.
一部のヘビは有毒な毒を持っています。
Some snakes have poisonous venom.
この洗剤は有毒なので、子供の手の届かない場所に保管してください。
This detergent is toxic, so please keep it out of reach of children.
有毒な化学物質を扱う際は、保護具を着用してください。
When handling toxic chemicals, please wear protective gear.
彼らは有毒な廃棄物を不法投棄しました。
They illegally dumped toxic waste.
この地域には有毒な虫が生息しています。
Poisonous insects inhabit this area.
この植物には有毒な成分が含まれているので、触らないでください。
This plant contains poisonous ingredients, so please don't touch it.
そのキノコは有毒で、食べると命にかかわる可能性があります。
That mushroom is toxic and could be life-threatening if eaten.
一部のヘビは有毒な毒を持っており、噛まれると危険です。
Some snakes have poisonous venom, and a bite can be dangerous.
工場から排出される有毒なガスは、環境汚染の原因となっています。
Toxic gases emitted from factories are a cause of environmental pollution.
彼女は有毒な関係から抜け出すことを決意しました。
She decided to break free from a toxic relationship.
その地域には有毒な廃棄物が不法投棄されているそうです。
Apparently, toxic waste is being illegally dumped in that area.
この化学物質は非常に有毒なので、取り扱いには注意が必要です。
This chemical is very toxic, so care must be taken in handling it.
彼の言葉は有毒で、チームの士気を下げました。
His words were toxic and lowered the team's morale.
この植物は見た目は美しいが、実は有毒な成分を含んでいるので注意が必要だ。
This plant looks beautiful, but actually contains poisonous ingredients, so caution is necessary.
「〜が」is a conjunction meaning 'but' or 'although'.
そのキノコは有毒な種類だと知らずに食べてしまい、病院に運ばれた。
He ate that mushroom without knowing it was a poisonous type, and was taken to the hospital.
「〜と知らずに」means 'without knowing that...'.
工業廃水には有毒な化学物質が含まれており、環境汚染の原因となっている。
Industrial wastewater contains toxic chemical substances and is a cause of environmental pollution.
「〜が含まれる」means 'to contain ~'.
彼が発言した有毒な言葉は、チームの士気を著しく低下させた。
The toxic words he uttered significantly lowered the team's morale.
「〜が低下する」means 'to decrease' or 'to be lowered'.
この湖の魚は、有毒な汚染物質の蓄積により食用に適さない。
The fish in this lake are not suitable for consumption due to the accumulation of toxic pollutants.
「〜に適さない」means 'not suitable for ~'.
彼女は有毒な人間関係から抜け出すために、大きな決断を下した。
She made a big decision to escape from a toxic relationship.
「〜から抜け出す」means 'to escape from ~'.
その古い塗料には有毒な鉛が含まれている可能性があるので、取り扱いには注意が必要だ。
That old paint may contain toxic lead, so caution is needed when handling it.
「〜可能性がある」means 'there is a possibility that ~'.
有毒なガスが漏れている可能性があるため、直ちに避難してください。
There is a possibility that toxic gas is leaking, so please evacuate immediately.
「〜ため」indicates a reason or cause.
Souvent confondu avec
Describes something that contains poison and can harm or kill if ingested or absorbed.
Similar to poisonous; relating to or caused by a toxin or poison.
Specifically refers to animals that inject poison (venom) through a bite or sting. 有毒な can apply to both poisonous and venomous things.
Facile à confondre
Often confused with 有毒な because both relate to harm. However, 有害な is broader.
有害な means 'harmful' or 'detrimental'. It can refer to anything that causes damage, not just poison. For example, harmful radiation, harmful advice, or harmful chemicals (even if not strictly poisonous).
タバコは健康に有害な影響を及ぼす。(Tabako wa kenkō ni yūgai na eikyō o oyobosu.) - Smoking has harmful effects on health.
This is the noun form of 'poison' and can be confusing when deciding whether to use the noun or the adjective.
毒 is the noun 'poison' or 'venom'. 有毒な is the adjective 'poisonous' or 'toxic'. You use 毒 when referring to the substance itself, and 有毒な when describing something that possesses or produces that substance.
このキノコには毒がある。(Kono kinoko ni wa doku ga aru.) - This mushroom has poison (is poisonous).
Both terms describe something negative, leading to potential mix-ups. 有毒な is a specific type of danger.
危険な means 'dangerous'. It's a very general term for anything that poses a risk or threat. A poisonous substance is dangerous, but not all dangerous things are poisonous (e.g., a dangerous road, a dangerous animal).
この道は冬は危険な場所が多い。(Kono michi wa fuyu wa kiken na basho ga ōi.) - This road has many dangerous spots in winter.
Similar in meaning to 有毒な, but with an added intensity.
猛毒 means 'potent poison' or 'deadly poison'. It emphasizes the extreme severity of the poison. 有毒な simply means 'poisonous' or 'toxic' without necessarily implying lethality or extreme potency, though it can.
このヘビは猛毒を持っている。(Kono hebi wa mōdoku o motteiru.) - This snake has deadly poison.
Both refer to harmful agents, but one causes disease and the other is a chemical or biological toxin.
病原性の means 'pathogenic' or 'disease-causing'. It specifically refers to agents like bacteria, viruses, or fungi that can cause illness. 有毒な refers to substances that are poisonous. A poisonous substance might cause illness, but it's not the same as a pathogen.
病原性の微生物は食中毒を引き起こすことがある。(Byōgen sei no biseibutsu wa shokuchūdoku o hikiokosu koto ga aru.) - Pathogenic microorganisms can cause food poisoning.
Famille de mots
Noms
Adjectifs
Astuces
Learn the Kanji for 有毒な
The kanji for 有毒な are 有 (yuu) meaning 'to have', 毒 (doku) meaning 'poison', and な (na) which is a na-adjective ending. Understanding these components helps you remember the meaning.
Practice with common poisonous items
Think of things that are poisonous and try to describe them using 有毒な. For example, 毒キノコ (doku kinoko) means 'poisonous mushroom'. You can say 「これは有毒なキノコです。」 (Kore wa yūdokuna kinoko desu.) - 'This is a poisonous mushroom.'
Distinguish from 毒 (doku)
While 毒 (doku) can mean 'poison' as a noun, 有毒な (yūdokuna) is the adjective form. Use 有毒な to describe something that is poisonous.
Use in medical contexts
You might hear 有毒な in discussions about medical emergencies or dangerous substances. For instance, 「この化学物質は有毒です。」 (Kono kagaku busshitsu wa yūdokudesu.) - 'This chemical substance is toxic.'
Create a sentence about a warning
Imagine a warning sign. You could write: 「有毒なガスに注意してください。」 (Yūdokuna gasu ni chūi shite kudasai.) - 'Please be careful of poisonous gas.'
Connect to English 'toxic'
The English word 'toxic' is a very close equivalent. If you think 'toxic', you can often use 有毒な in Japanese.
Don't confuse with 危険な (kiken'na)
While something poisonous is dangerous (危険な), 有毒な specifically refers to something that produces or contains poison. All poisonous things are dangerous, but not all dangerous things are poisonous.
Practice saying it aloud
Say 有毒な (yūdokuna) multiple times. Focus on the pronunciation to make it natural. The 'yuu' sound is like 'you' and 'doku' is like 'dock-oo'.
Think of animals that are poisonous
You can describe animals using this word. For example, 「そのヘビは有毒です。」 (Sono hebi wa yūdokudesu.) - 'That snake is poisonous.'
Consider synonyms for nuance
While 有毒な is common, you might encounter other words like 猛毒 (mōdoku) for 'potent poison' or 毒性 (dokusei) for 'toxicity' (noun). These are more advanced but good to be aware of.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'yū' as in 'you' and 'doku' sounding like 'doc.' If something is poisonous, you'd probably need a 'doc' to help 'you.' So, 'you doc' (yūdoku) means poisonous.
Association visuelle
Imagine a bright red mushroom with a skull and crossbones on it, and the mushroom is labeled '有毒な'. Visualize toxic green gas coming out of it.
Word Web
Défi
Describe three different things in Japanese that could be 有毒な (yūdoku na). For example, 'この植物は有毒です' (Kono shokubutsu wa yūdoku desu - This plant is poisonous).
Teste-toi 36 questions
Which of these is most likely to be 有毒な (yūdoku na)?
Some mushrooms are poisonous, while apples, bread, and bananas are common foods and not poisonous.
If something is 有毒な (yūdoku na), what should you NOT do?
If something is poisonous, you should definitely not eat it. Looking, not touching, or throwing it away are safer actions.
Which animal is often 有毒な (yūdoku na)?
Some snakes are poisonous. Dogs, cats, and rabbits are common pets and are not poisonous.
毒キノコは有毒な食べ物です。(Poisonous mushrooms are poisonous food.)
毒キノコ (doku kinoko) specifically means 'poisonous mushroom,' so it is indeed poisonous food.
水は有毒な飲み物です。(Water is a poisonous drink.)
Water is essential for life and is not poisonous. We drink water every day.
この植物は有毒なにおいがします。(This plant has a poisonous smell.)
有毒な (yūdoku na) can describe something that has poisonous properties, including a smell that indicates it's toxic.
This is a poisonous mushroom.
Is that plant poisonous?
Please be careful of poisonous gas.
Read this aloud:
これは有毒な食べ物です。
Focus: ゆうどくな (yuudokuna)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
あのヘビは有毒です。
Focus: ゆうどく (yuudoku)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
有毒なものに触らないでください。
Focus: さわらないでください (sawaranai de kudasai)
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the word that means 'poisonous'.
有毒な (yūdoku na) means poisonous or toxic. 美味しい (oishii) means delicious. きれいな (kirei na) means pretty/clean. 大きい (ōkii) means big.
このキノコは___から、食べないでください。
The sentence means 'This mushroom is ___ so please don't eat it.' The only logical answer is 'poisonous.' 安全な (anzen na) means safe. 美味しい (oishii) means delicious. 有名な (yūmei na) means famous.
Which sentence correctly uses '有毒な'?
有毒な (yūdoku na) refers to something that is physically poisonous or toxic. A 'poisonous person' or 'poisonous food' being delicious doesn't make sense in this context.
「有毒な」は「安全な」と同じ意味です。
「有毒な (yūdoku na)」means 'poisonous', while 「安全な (anzen na)」means 'safe'. They are opposites.
毒があるものは「有毒な」と言います。
If something contains poison, it is described as 有毒な (yūdoku na).
「有毒な」は食べ物にも使われます。
You can use 「有毒な (yūdoku na)」to describe food that is poisonous.
The mushroom is poisonous, so don't eat it.
Some plants contain toxic components.
This chemical substance could be toxic to the environment.
Read this aloud:
有毒なヘビに注意してください。
Focus: yuudoku na
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
この洗剤は有毒なので、子供の手の届かないところに保管してください。
Focus: senzai wa yuudoku nanode
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
その食べ物には有毒なバクテリアが含まれていました。
Focus: yuudoku na bakteria
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are a scientist discovering a new plant. Describe its properties, focusing on whether it is toxic or safe for consumption. Use '有毒な' in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この新種の植物は非常に有毒な成分を含んでいます。摂取すると危険なので、絶対に触らないでください。研究が必要です。
You are writing a warning label for a cleaning product. Explain why it is dangerous if ingested, using '有毒な'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この洗剤は有毒な化学物質を含んでおり、誤って摂取すると非常に危険です。お子様の手の届かない場所に保管してください。
Describe a fictional creature that has '有毒な' characteristics for defense.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
深海に生息するこの魚は、敵から身を守るために有毒な棘を持っています。その毒は非常に強力です。
この文章によると、野生のキノコを採取する際に最も重要な注意点は何ですか？
Read this passage:
キノコの中には、見た目は美しいが非常に有毒なものがあります。誤って食べると、命に関わることもあります。専門家でない限り、野生のキノコを安易に採取してはいけません。食用と判断する前に、必ず知識のある人に確認してください。
この文章によると、野生のキノコを採取する際に最も重要な注意点は何ですか？
文章では、有毒なキノコがあるため、専門家でない限り野生のキノコを安易に採取しないよう警告しています。
文章では、有毒なキノコがあるため、専門家でない限り野生のキノコを安易に採取しないよう警告しています。
この文章が示唆する、人間と動物の間の違いは何ですか？
Read this passage:
いくつかの植物は、人間にとっては有毒ですが、特定の動物にとっては無害です。これは、動物の消化システムが毒素を処理する方法が異なるためです。たとえば、ある種の鳥は、有毒な実を問題なく食べることができます。
この文章が示唆する、人間と動物の間の違いは何ですか？
文章では、人間には有毒でも、特定の動物には無害な植物があることを説明しており、これは植物の毒素がすべての生物に同じように影響するわけではないことを示しています。
文章では、人間には有毒でも、特定の動物には無害な植物があることを説明しており、これは植物の毒素がすべての生物に同じように影響するわけではないことを示しています。
有毒な物質が環境に放出されると、どのような問題が起こり得ますか？
Read this passage:
有毒な物質は、環境中に放出されると長期的な悪影響を与える可能性があります。工場からの排水や農業での不適切な化学物質の使用がその一因です。これらの物質が土壌や水に混入すると、食物連鎖を通じて広がり、生態系全体に深刻な問題を引き起こすことがあります。
有毒な物質が環境に放出されると、どのような問題が起こり得ますか？
文章には「これらの物質が土壌や水に混入すると、食物連鎖を通じて広がり、生態系全体に深刻な問題を引き起こすことがあります」と明記されています。
文章には「これらの物質が土壌や水に混入すると、食物連鎖を通じて広がり、生態系全体に深刻な問題を引き起こすことがあります」と明記されています。
このキノコは見た目が良いですが、実はとても___です。
文脈から、キノコが見た目は良いが、実は害があるということが示唆されています。「有毒な」は'poisonous'や'toxic'を意味し、この文に最適です。
科学者はその植物が人間にとって___かどうかを研究しています。
植物が人間に害を及ぼす可能性について研究している文脈なので、「有毒な」が適切です。
その工場から排出される化学物質は環境に___影響を及ぼす可能性があります。
工場からの化学物質が環境に与える悪影響について述べているため、「有毒な」が正しい選択肢です。
多くの美しい花には、___部分が含まれていない。
美しい花の中には、有毒な部分を持つものもあります。例えば、スズランやアジサイなどがそうです。
有毒な物質は常に強い臭いがする。
有毒な物質の多くは無臭であり、そのために危険性が認識されにくいことがあります。例えば、一酸化炭素は無臭ですが有毒です。
野生のベリーを食べる前に、それが___でないことを確認することが重要です。
野生のベリーには有毒なものが多く含まれているため、安全性を確認してから食べることが非常に重要です。
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Learn the Kanji for 有毒な
The kanji for 有毒な are 有 (yuu) meaning 'to have', 毒 (doku) meaning 'poison', and な (na) which is a na-adjective ending. Understanding these components helps you remember the meaning.
Practice with common poisonous items
Think of things that are poisonous and try to describe them using 有毒な. For example, 毒キノコ (doku kinoko) means 'poisonous mushroom'. You can say 「これは有毒なキノコです。」 (Kore wa yūdokuna kinoko desu.) - 'This is a poisonous mushroom.'
Distinguish from 毒 (doku)
While 毒 (doku) can mean 'poison' as a noun, 有毒な (yūdokuna) is the adjective form. Use 有毒な to describe something that is poisonous.
Use in medical contexts
You might hear 有毒な in discussions about medical emergencies or dangerous substances. For instance, 「この化学物質は有毒です。」 (Kono kagaku busshitsu wa yūdokudesu.) - 'This chemical substance is toxic.'
Exemple
このキノコは有毒なので食べられません。
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Plus de mots sur nature
～上
B1Above; on top of; up.
〜の上
A2On top of, above, upon.
豊か
B1Abundant; rich; plentiful (na-adjective).
〜に従って
B1According to, in conformity with, as (something happens).
酸性雨
B1Acid rain.
営み
B1Activity; daily life; undertaking (e.g., life's activities).
順応する
B1To adapt; to adjust; to conform.
~を背景に
B1Against the backdrop of; with...as background.
空気
A2air
大気汚染
B1Air pollution; the presence of harmful substances in the air.
