Meaning
The kanji 毒 (doku) primarily means 'poison' or 'venom'. It also conveys concepts like 'harm', 'injury', 'virus', 'germ', and even 'spite' or 'malice', all reflecting the destructive nature associated with poison. Historically, the character 毒 is often considered an ideograph or a phono-semantic compound. Its form comes from the radical 毋 (bǔ), which originally depicted a mother (母). Two strokes were added, sometimes interpreted as a needle or pin, suggesting restraint, prohibition, or potential harm. The upper part, 毐, is thought to represent a noxious plant or a destructive influence. Together, these elements paint a vivid picture of something harmful or toxic, often leading to illness or death. The visual structure thus effectively communicates its core meaning as a dangerous substance. This kanji has 8 strokes and is taught in the 5th grade in Japan. This indicates its relatively common use for basic concepts even at an elementary level, though its full range of applications can be quite nuanced. It is also an essential character for JLPT N2, highlighting its importance for intermediate Japanese learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 毒 is ドク (doku). You'll frequently encounter this reading in compound words, as it's the most common way to refer to 'poison' or 'toxicity' in modern Japanese.
- 毒 (doku) — poison, venom, toxin
Example 1: 毒物 (dokubutsu) — poisonous substance
Example 2: 有毒 (yūdoku) — poisonous, toxic
- 中毒 (chūdoku) — poisoning, addiction
Example 1: 食中毒 (shokuchūdoku) — food poisoning
Example 2: 薬物中毒 (yakubutsu chūdoku) — drug addiction
- 消毒 (shōdoku) — disinfection, sterilization
Example 1: 手指消毒 (shushi shōdoku) — hand disinfection
Example 2: 消毒液 (shōdokueki) — disinfectant solution
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kanji 毒 has no commonly used Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings). This isn't unusual for kanji, especially those representing abstract or scientific terms. In such cases, the On'yomi often became dominant due to the strong influence of Chinese vocabulary. While some dictionaries might list obscure or archaic Kun'yomi, you generally won't encounter them in everyday Japanese or on JLPT examinations. Therefore, when you see 毒, whether alone or in compounds, ドク is almost exclusively the reading you'll hear or see.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 毒 appears in many words, often related to toxicity, harm, or even figurative 'poisonous' qualities. Here are some common compounds, grouped by theme:
Toxicity & Harm
- 毒 (doku) — poison, venom, toxin
- 毒薬 (dokuyaku) — poison (medication)
- 毒ガス (doku gasu) — poison gas
- 毒性 (dokusei) — toxicity
- 無毒 (mudoku) — non-toxic, harmless
- 解毒 (gedoku) — detoxification, antidote
Illness & Addiction
- 中毒 (chūdoku) — poisoning, addiction
- 食中毒 (shokuchūdoku) — food poisoning
- アルコール中毒 (arukōru chūdoku) — alcohol addiction
Figurative & Character
- 毒舌 (dokuzetsu) — sharp tongue, abusive language
- 気の毒 (kinodoku) — pitiful, a pity, unfortunate
- 毒々しい (dokudokushii) — gaudy, lurid, garish, poisonous-looking
Example Sentences
このキノコには強い毒があります。
Kono kinoko ni wa tsuyoi doku ga arimasu.
This mushroom has strong poison.
彼は毒を盛られた。
Kare wa doku o morareta.
He was poisoned.
食中毒の症状が出ています。
Shokuchūdoku no shōjō ga dete imasu.
Symptoms of food poisoning are appearing.
消毒液で手をきれいにしました。
Shōdokueki de te o kirei ni shimashita.
I cleaned my hands with disinfectant solution.
彼女は毒舌家として知られています。
Kanojo wa dokuzetsuka to shite shirarete imasu.
She is known for her sharp tongue.
過度なゲームは心に毒となることがあります。
Kado na gēmu wa kokoro ni doku to naru koto ga arimasu.
Excessive gaming can be poisonous to the mind.
解毒剤が必要だと医者に言われました。
Gedokuzai ga hitsuyō da to isha ni iwaremashita.
The doctor told me an antidote was necessary.
彼の発言には悪意に満ちた毒が含まれていた。
Kare no hatsugen ni wa akui ni michita doku ga fukumarete ita.
His remarks contained malice and spite.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 毒, imagine a mother (母) adding a small, almost imperceptible drop of something harmful to a pot. (While its etymology is more complex, this visual aid helps.) This tiny addition transforms an otherwise harmless substance into something toxic, thus representing 'poison'. Another way to visualize it is to see the kanji as a container (the bottom part, similar to 毋, can be thought of as an enclosure) holding a dangerous or 'spiteful' element (the top part), poised to cause harm. The small strokes within the upper part can also be imagined as drops of venom, making the entire character embody danger and toxicity. Think of it simply: 'mother + something bad = poison'.