Translation guide
The concept of poisoning in Japanese is expressed through different words depending on the type of poisoning (food, chemical, gas, etc.) and whether it refers to the act, the condition, or the substance. The most common term is 中毒 (chūdoku), which covers poisoning, addiction, and intoxication. For the act of poisoning someone or something, 毒殺 (dokusatsu) or 毒を盛る (doku o moru) is used. Medical and technical contexts may use 中毒症 (chūdokushō) or specific compound terms.
To refer to the condition of being poisoned, including food poisoning, alcohol poisoning, or poisoning by substances.
The most common and versatile word for poisoning. It can refer to food poisoning, chemical poisoning, drug overdose, or even addiction (e.g., internet addiction). Often combined with the source of poisoning.
I got food poisoning.
A more medical term for poisoning as a condition or syndrome. Used in clinical contexts.
To refer to the deliberate act of giving poison to a person or animal, often with intent to harm or kill.
To specifically refer to illness caused by eating contaminated food.
To name poisoning by a particular chemical, gas, or natural toxin.
The standard pattern for naming poisoning by a specific substance. The substance name is usually in kanji or katakana.
mercury poisoning
To refer to poisoning in the context of intentional self-harm or homicide.
中毒 means the condition of being poisoned, not the poison itself. The word for poison is 毒 (どく). Saying 中毒を飲む is incorrect; use 毒を飲む (to drink poison).
He drank poison.
中毒 is the state of being poisoned (accidental or otherwise), while 毒殺 is the act of killing with poison. If you say 中毒になった, it means you got poisoned; if you say 毒殺された, it means you were murdered by poison.
He was taken to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning.
We are researching treatments for acute poisoning syndrome.
Specifically means killing by poison. It implies intent and a fatal outcome. Commonly used in crime contexts.
He was arrested on suspicion of poisoning his wife.
Literally 'to serve poison,' meaning to put poison in someone's food or drink. It does not necessarily imply death, but often implies malicious intent.
Someone poisoned his drink.
A formal or literary term for harming or killing with poison. Rare in everyday speech.
To plot a poisoning.
The standard term for food poisoning. Very common in news and daily conversation.
Please be careful of food poisoning in the summer.
I got food poisoning from raw chicken.
A casual verb meaning 'to get sick from food' or 'to have food poisoning.' Often used in the form お腹を壊す (to have an upset stomach) as well.
I think I got food poisoning from yesterday's sushi.
鉛中毒
lead poisoning
mushroom poisoning
Suicide by taking poison. A compound of 服毒 (taking poison) and 自殺 (suicide).
He attempted suicide by poisoning.
As above, murder by poison. Can be used in both legal and colloquial contexts.
A poisoning case was reported on the news.