Inklingo

How to Say "toxic" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tóxico

adjectiveA2general
Use 'tóxico' for things that are literally harmful to health or have a negative emotional impact, like chemicals or a stressful environment.

Examples

Ten cuidado, esos productos de limpieza son tóxicos.

Be careful, those cleaning products are toxic.

venenoso

/beh-neh-NOH-soh//be.neˈno.so/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'venenoso' for things that contain poison, like certain plants or animals, or to describe spiteful or malicious comments and personalities.
A bright red mushroom with white spots growing in green grass.

Examples

Este hongo es muy venenoso; no lo toques.

This mushroom is very poisonous; don't touch it.

Algunas serpientes de esta zona son venenosas.

Some snakes in this area are venomous.

El producto de limpieza es venenoso si se ingiere.

The cleaning product is poisonous if swallowed.

Hizo un comentario venenoso sobre mi ropa.

He made a spiteful comment about my clothes.

One word for two English concepts

In English, we say 'venomous' for animals that bite and 'poisonous' for things you eat. In Spanish, 'venenoso' is the all-in-one word for both!

Gender matching

If you are describing something feminine, like 'una araña' (a spider), you must change the ending to 'a': 'una araña venenosa'.

Figurative usage

Just like in English, you can use physical 'poison' words to describe people's behavior. It functions exactly like an adjective describing a person's character.

Using the wrong 'to be'

Mistake: “Está venenoso.”

Correction: Es venenoso. Use 'ser' because being poisonous is a permanent characteristic of that thing.

Intensity

envenenado

/en-ben-en-ah-doh//embenenˈaðo/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'envenenado' when referring to a situation, relationship, or atmosphere that has been corrupted or made negative by something harmful, like bitterness or resentment.
A grumpy-looking cartoon storm cloud with a sharp frown and dark shadows under its eyes.

Examples

Él tiene un corazón envenenado por el rencor.

He has a heart poisoned by resentment.

Lanzó un comentario envenenado contra su rival.

He made a spiteful comment against his rival.

Figurative description

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

Tóxico vs. Venenoso vs. Envenenado

Learners often confuse 'tóxico' and 'venenoso.' Remember that 'tóxico' is broader and often relates to health or general harm, while 'venenoso' specifically implies poison or malicious intent. 'Envenenado' is more about a corrupted state, often emotional or relational.

Related Translations

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