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.
食中毒になった。
I got food poisoning.
一酸化炭素中毒で病院に運ばれた。
He was taken to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning.
A more medical term for poisoning as a condition or syndrome. Used in clinical contexts.
急性中毒症の治療法を研究している。
We are researching treatments for acute poisoning syndrome.
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.
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).
毒を飲んだ。
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.
Specifically means killing by poison. It implies intent and a fatal outcome. Commonly used in crime contexts.
彼は妻を毒殺した疑いで逮捕された。
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.
誰かが彼の飲み物に毒を盛った。
Someone poisoned his drink.
A formal or literary term for harming or killing with poison. Rare in everyday speech.
毒害を企てる。
To plot a poisoning.
The standard term for food poisoning. Very common in news and daily conversation.
夏は食中毒に気をつけてください。
Please be careful of food poisoning in the summer.
生の鶏肉で食中毒になった。
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.
昨日の寿司にあたったみたい。
I think I got food poisoning from yesterday's sushi.
mushroom poisoning
Suicide by taking poison. A compound of 服毒 (taking poison) and 自殺 (suicide).
彼は服毒自殺を図った。
He attempted suicide by poisoning.
As above, murder by poison. Can be used in both legal and colloquial contexts.
毒殺事件がニュースで報道された。
A poisoning case was reported on the news.