Translation guide
This guide covers how to express 'toxic substance' in Japanese, from general terms to specific contexts like poisons, pollutants, and harmful chemicals.
A broad term for any harmful or poisonous substance.
The most direct and common translation for 'toxic substance'. Used in scientific, medical, and general contexts.
Toxic substances leaked from this factory.
Refers to poisons or toxic agents, often in legal or regulatory contexts. Slightly narrower than 有毒物質.
Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law
Emphasizes the property of toxicity. Common in technical and environmental discussions.
This river contains toxic substances.
A substance that causes illness or death when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed.
A toxic substance that contaminates air, water, or soil.
A toxic chemical substance, often in industrial or laboratory settings.
Literally 'chemical poison'. Used in technical contexts for toxic chemicals, but less common than other terms.
A poisoning accident caused by chemical toxins occurred.
Abbreviation for 'poisonous and deleterious substances', used in legal and regulatory contexts.
有毒物質 (toxic substance) specifically implies toxicity (poisonous nature), while 有害物質 (hazardous substance) is broader and includes substances that are harmful in other ways (e.g., corrosive, carcinogenic). In many contexts, 有害物質 is the safer, more encompassing term for 'toxic substance' in environmental or safety discussions.
The character 毒 (poison) appears in many compounds: 中毒 (poisoning), 解毒 (detoxification), 毒ガス (poison gas). When referring to a specific type of toxic substance, these compounds are often more natural than a generic term.
Bacteria release toxins.
Specifically 'pollutant' or 'contaminant'. Emphasizes the act of polluting rather than inherent toxicity.
The groundwater in this area is contaminated with pollutants.
A license is required to handle poisonous and deleterious substances.