Translation guide
The quality of being toxic or poisonous, either literally (chemical/biological) or figuratively (harmful behavior/environment).
The degree to which a substance is poisonous or harmful to living organisms.
The standard term for toxicity in scientific, medical, and general contexts. Refers to the inherent poisonous property of a substance.
この化学物質の毒性は非常に高い。
The toxicity of this chemical substance is very high.
毒性試験の結果を報告します。
We will report the results of the toxicity test.
Means 'poisonous' or 'toxic'. Often used as a noun or na-adjective to describe something that contains poison. Slightly more general than 毒性.
このキノコは有毒です。
This mushroom is toxic.
有毒ガスが発生した。
Toxic gas was generated.
Means 'poison' or 'toxin'. Can be used to talk about toxicity in a more concrete sense, like the poison itself. In compounds, it often implies toxicity.
ヘビの毒は強力だ。
Snake venom is potent.
毒物を扱うときは注意が必要だ。
Care is needed when handling toxic substances.
The quality of being very harmful or unpleasant in a social, emotional, or psychological sense.
Means 'harmful' or 'noxious'. Commonly used for both physical and abstract harm, including toxic environments, relationships, or content. More formal than 毒.
有害な職場環境が問題になっている。
A toxic work environment has become a problem.
インターネット上の有害情報から子どもを守る。
Protect children from toxic information on the internet.
Literally 'become poison', used figuratively to mean something is harmful or toxic to one's well-being, often in relationships or habits.
その関係は彼にとって毒になっている。
That relationship is toxic for him.
ネガティブな考え方は自分にとって毒になる。
Negative thinking is toxic to oneself.
Sometimes extended metaphorically to describe a person's harmful influence or a toxic atmosphere, but this usage is less common and may sound literary.
Hostile, aggressive, or disruptive behavior in online games or forums.
In gaming and online contexts, the English loanword トキシック (tokishikku) is often used directly, especially among younger people. Alternatively, describe the behavior as 荒らし (trolling/disruptive) or 暴言 (abusive language).
あのプレイヤーはトキシックだからブロックした。
That player is toxic, so I blocked them.
チャットが荒らしでいっぱいだ。
The chat is full of toxicity/trolling.
Can be used in formal discussions about online toxicity, such as in news articles or guidelines.
オンラインゲームにおける有害行為を減らす取り組み。
Efforts to reduce toxic behavior in online games.
While 毒性 can be used metaphorically, it is primarily a scientific term. For everyday figurative toxicity (e.g., a toxic person), 有害 or phrases like 毒になる are more natural.
彼の言葉には毒性があった。
His words had a toxicity to them.