dú
poison; toxin; narcotics; poisonous
这个蘑菇有毒，不能吃。
Zhège mógu yǒu dú, bùnéng chī.
This mushroom is poisonous, don't eat it.
他被毒蛇咬了，很危险。
Tā bèi dúshé yǎo le, hěn wéixiǎn.
He was bitten by a poisonous snake, it's very dangerous.
她中了毒，现在正在医院接受治疗。
Tā zhòngle dú, xiànzài zhèngzài yīyuàn jiēshòu zhìliáo.
She was poisoned, and is now receiving treatment in the hospital.
毒药 (dúyào)
poison
毒性 (dúxìng)
toxicity
解毒 (jiě dú)
detoxify
无毒 (wú dú)
non-toxic
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The Chinese character 毒 (dú) for "poison" is composed of two parts: the radical 艹 (cǎo), which represents plants or herbs, and the phonetic component 毒 (dú), which is a simplified form of the character 讀 (dú), meaning "to read" or "to study". The combination of these two components suggests that poison is something that is derived from plants or herbs and can be harmful if ingested or absorbed.The character 毒 has a long history in Chinese culture and has been used in various contexts to refer to different types of poisons, including natural toxins, chemical substances, and harmful substances in general. It can also be used figuratively to describe something that is harmful or detrimental, such as a negative influence or a corrupting force.In modern Chinese, the character 毒 is commonly used in words related to poisoning, toxicity, and harmful substances. For example, it is used in the word 毒药 (dúyào), which means "poison", and 中毒 (zhòngdú), which means "to be poisoned". It is also used in the word 毒品 (dúpǐn), which refers to illegal drugs or narcotics.Understanding the etymology of Chinese characters can provide valuable insights into their meanings and cultural significance. By exploring the origins and components of characters like 毒, HSK learners can deepen their understanding of the Chinese language and gain a greater appreciation for its rich history and complexity.
