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.
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.
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.
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.
This drink contains poison.
Staying up late is bad for your health.
There's a sting in her words.
He drank poison and killed himself.