Inklingo
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envenenado

/en-ben-en-ah-doh/

poisoned

A bright green apple with a small purple skull and crossbones symbol glowing on its skin, sitting on a wooden table.

A poisoned apple illustrates the literal meaning of 'envenenado' as containing a harmful substance.

envenenado(adjective)

mB1

poisoned

?

containing a substance that causes harm

Also:

tainted

?

food or water that is no longer safe

📝 In Action

El perro se comió un trozo de carne envenenado.

B1

The dog ate a piece of poisoned meat.

Ten cuidado con ese río, el agua está envenenada.

B1

Be careful with that river; the water is poisoned.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tóxico (toxic)
  • emponzoñado (poisoned/venomous)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • dardo envenenado – poisoned dart
  • cebo envenenado – poisoned bait

💡 Grammar Points

Changing the Ending

Since this word is used for descriptions, remember to change the 'o' to 'a' (envenenada) if you are describing something feminine, like 'la comida' (the food).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Don't confuse with 'venenoso'

Mistake: "Using 'envenenado' for a snake."

Correction: Use 'venenoso' for animals that produce poison naturally, and 'envenenado' for something that had poison added to it or has been harmed by it.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using it with 'estar'

Use 'estar' (to be) when you want to say something is currently in a poisoned state: 'La manzana está envenenada'.

A grumpy-looking cartoon storm cloud with a sharp frown and dark shadows under its eyes.

A bitter or resentful expression can be described as 'envenenado' in a metaphorical sense.

envenenado(adjective)

mB2

bitter

?

full of resentment or hate

Also:

toxic

?

a relationship or atmosphere that is harmful

,

spiteful

?

intended to hurt someone's feelings

📝 In Action

Él tiene un corazón envenenado por el rencor.

B2

He has a heart poisoned by resentment.

Lanzó un comentario envenenado contra su rival.

C1

He made a spiteful comment against his rival.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • amargado (bitter)
  • resentido (resentful)

Antonyms

  • bondadoso (kind-hearted)
  • dulce (sweet)

Idioms & Expressions

  • un regalo envenenado – something that seems good at first but actually causes problems later

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative description

When describing a person's character, we usually use the word 'corazón' (heart) or 'alma' (soul) together with 'envenenado'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Social Context

Use this word to describe an atmosphere in an office or a family that has become very negative: 'un ambiente envenenado'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: envenenado

Question 1 of 2

What does 'un regalo envenenado' usually mean?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

veneno(poison) - noun
envenenar(to poison) - verb
envenenamiento(poisoning) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'envenenado' for a snake bite?

Not usually. You would say the snake is 'venenosa' (venomous). You would use 'envenenado' to describe the person after the venom has entered their system.

Is 'envenenado' used for spoiled food?

No, if food just went bad naturally, use 'podrido' (rotten) or 'caducado' (expired). Use 'envenenado' only if it contains actual poison.