noun
Literal poisonous or toxic substance, including venom, chemical poison, or natural toxins in plants and animals.
そのキノコには強い毒がある。
That mushroom contains a strong poison.
蛇の毒が体に回った。
The snake's venom spread through the body.
noun
harm; bad influence; corrupting influence
Metaphorical use for something harmful to a person, body, mind, or morals. Common in patterns such as 体に毒だ, 子どもに毒だ, and 目の毒.
See also: 目の毒 (めのどく) · 毒する (どくする)
夜更かしは体に毒だ。
Staying up late is bad for your body.
甘い物の写真は、ダイエット中の私には目の毒だ。
Pictures of sweets are torture for me while I'm on a diet.
noun
Used for a malicious, spiteful, or sharply sarcastic edge in words, attitudes, or expressions, especially in phrases like 毒がある and 毒を含む.
彼女の言い方には少し毒があった。
There was a bit of venom in the way she said it.
彼は毒を含んだ笑みを浮かべた。
He gave a smile tinged with malice.
noun
abusive language; verbal barbs
Abbreviated or elliptical use, often understood as short for harsh, sarcastic, or abusive speech such as 毒舌. It is context-dependent and more limited than the literal sense.
「毒」は、文脈によっては毒舌や悪口の略として使われる。
Depending on the context, 毒 is used as an abbreviation for sarcastic or abusive remarks.
彼の毒はきつすぎて、周りが引いてしまった。
His verbal barbs were so harsh that the people around him recoiled.