What is the Kanji for 'Poison'? | 毒

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Poison', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Poison' is 毒.

kanji

毒

Meaning

Poison

Reading

onyomiどく

doku

Parts

龶Life (生)毋

Example Word

毒: poison. The Japanese noun '毒 (どく)' means 'poison'. It refers to a substance that can cause illness, injury, or death when introduced into or absorbed by a living organism. This word is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. For example: this mushroom is poisonous「このキノコは毒です」(このきのこはどくです). His words were like poison「彼の言葉は毒のようだった」(かれのことばはどくのようだった). In some contexts, '毒' can also imply something harmful or detrimental, even if not literally poisonous.

Radical

毋

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

675

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 毒

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

radical

龶

Meaning

Life

Radical Form Of

生

component

毋

Words Using 毒

This kanji is used in 5 words:

word

消毒

Meaning

Disinfection

word

毒

Meaning

Poison

word

気の毒

Meaning

Pitiful

word

中毒

Meaning

Addiction

word

有毒

Meaning

Poisonous

Kanji Related to 毒 Through the Part 龶

These 4 kanji contain the part 龶 as well.

kanji

青

Meaning

Blue

kanji

表

Meaning

Surface, Express

kanji

責

Meaning

Blame, Liability

kanji

素

Meaning

Element

Learn the Kanji 毒

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 毒 mean?

毒 means 'Poison'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fourth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.