Spanish Conversation · Level 121
60 words
Spanish word
veneno
Pronunciation
IPA/beˈneno/
Meaning
- masculine nounpoison
Example
¡Ten cuidado, eso puede ser veneno!
Watch out, that might be poison!
More examples
Compraron veneno para eliminar las hormigas.
They bought poison to get rid of the ants.
Core concept
Harmful substance that disrupts an organism's functions and can cause serious injury or death if ingested, inhaled, absorbed, or on contact with the body.
Common phrases
veneno para insectos
poison for insects
envase de veneno
container of poison
Similar words
sustancia tóxica: Chemical or mixture that harms health when entering the body by ingestion or absorption.
envenenamiento: Acute state in which poison quickly disrupts normal bodily functions.
intoxicación: Toxic condition in the body caused by harmful substances, often from contaminated food.
Definition in Spanish
Sustancia que causa daño o la muerte a un organismo al ser ingerida, inhalada, absorbida o entrar en contacto con él.
Word origin
Spanish veneno derives from Latin venenum meaning 'poison' or 'drug', with medieval meanings that included both cures and toxins and cognates in other Romance languages.
Usage tips
- For accidental food poisoning Spanish commonly uses intoxicación or intoxicación alimentaria rather than envenenamiento, which often implies deliberate poisoning.