毒薬
Meanings
1
poison; poisonous drug
Refers to a poisonous substance, especially one that could be used to harm or kill. More specific than the broader noun 毒, which can also mean toxin, venom, or harmful influence.
Poison was found inside the bottle.
In the novel, the culprit used poison.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉に毒薬を盛るto lace something with poison
He laced the wine with poison.
- 毒薬を飲むto drink poison
In despair, she drank poison.
- 毒薬で〈人〉を殺すto kill someone with poison
The culprit killed the victim with poison.
Expressions
- 毒薬変じて薬となるpoison can turn into medicine; what is harmful may become beneficial