- 中毒 — poisoning; addiction
- 有毒 — toxic; poisonous
- 無毒 — non-toxic
- 毒舌 — sharp tongue; harsh words
- 解毒 — detoxification
- 毒薬 — poison (as medicine)
The kanji 毒 combines semantic elements suggesting “bad herb” or “harmful substance” and phonetic components related to ドク. Historically, it meant something harmful to life or spirit — hence its use for literal poisons and figurative toxicity.
この魚には 毒があります。
This fish is poisonous.
彼女の 言葉には 毒がある。
Her words are harsh (toxic).