poison

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 毒 has 8 strokes and appears in expressions for poison or hurtful speech.
• Basic usage: 毒 is read どく, and 毒舌 is read どくぜつ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Poison as a substance
  • 杯に毒が入っている, which the king notices in the story, means that there is poison in the cup.
• Sharp, cutting speech
  • 毒舌 means cutting remarks or a manner of speech that can hurt others.
  • 毒舌で知られる登場人物 means a character known for a sharp tongue.