Translation guide
This guide covers how to express 'toxic substance' in Japanese, from general terms to specific contexts like poisons, pollutants, and harmful chemicals.
A broad term for any harmful or poisonous substance.
The most direct and common translation for 'toxic substance'. Used in scientific, medical, and general contexts.
この工場から有毒物質が漏れた。
Toxic substances leaked from this factory.
Refers to poisons or toxic agents, often in legal or regulatory contexts. Slightly narrower than 有毒物質.
毒物及び劇物取締法
Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law
Emphasizes the property of toxicity. Common in technical and environmental discussions.
この川には毒性物質が含まれている。
This river contains toxic substances.
A substance that causes illness or death when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed.
The general word for 'poison'. Can be used for natural toxins, chemicals, or metaphorical poison.
このキノコには毒がある。
This mushroom has poison.
Specifically refers to a toxin, often of biological origin (e.g., bacterial toxins, snake venom).
A toxic substance that contaminates air, water, or soil.
Broad term for 'hazardous substance', often used in environmental and safety contexts. Includes toxic, corrosive, and otherwise harmful materials.
大気中に有害物質が放出された。
Hazardous substances were released into the atmosphere.
A toxic chemical substance, often in industrial or laboratory settings.
Literally 'chemical poison'. Used in technical contexts for toxic chemicals, but less common than other terms.
化学毒による中毒事故が発生した。
A poisoning accident caused by chemical toxins occurred.
Abbreviation for 'poisonous and deleterious substances', used in legal and regulatory contexts.
毒劇物の取り扱いには資格が必要です。
A license is required to handle poisonous and deleterious substances.
有毒物質 (toxic substance) specifically implies toxicity (poisonous nature), while 有害物質 (hazardous substance) is broader and includes substances that are harmful in other ways (e.g., corrosive, carcinogenic). In many contexts, 有害物質 is the safer, more encompassing term for 'toxic substance' in environmental or safety discussions.
The character 毒 (poison) appears in many compounds: 中毒 (poisoning), 解毒 (detoxification), 毒ガス (poison gas). When referring to a specific type of toxic substance, these compounds are often more natural than a generic term.
Bacteria release toxins.
Specifically 'pollutant' or 'contaminant'. Emphasizes the act of polluting rather than inherent toxicity.
この地域の地下水は汚染物質で汚染されている。
The groundwater in this area is contaminated with pollutants.