tóxico

toxic

adjective TOHK-see-koh Rare

Origin: From Greek toxikon (poison for arrows), via Latin.

Also means

poisonous

Usage Note

Tóxico describes chemical or biological toxicity (sustancia tóxica) but has also become a high-frequency colloquial word for a harmful relationship or person: una relación tóxica, un jefe tóxico. The noun tóxico (a toxic substance, a poison) is also in use. The related noun is toxicidad and the field is toxicología.

Examples

"Ese producto químico es muy tóxico."

Natural Translation

That chemical product is very toxic.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Introduce Yourself in Spanish: 12 Real Phrases

Introduce yourself in Spanish with 12 ready-to-speak phrases — name, origin, age, and job — in both tú and usted, with the verb traps that trip up beginners.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Diminutives: What -ito and -ita Really Mean

Spanish diminutives rarely mean 'little.' Learn what -ito and -ita really signal — warmth, softening, downplaying — plus the -cito and -ecito formation rules.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Ser vs. Estar: When to Use Each in Spanish

Ser vs estar made simple: how you feel and where you are use estar, everything else uses ser. Master the rule, the exceptions, and the traps that flip meaning.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Tell Time in Spanish: A Beginner's Guide

Tell time in Spanish with one formula: es la una vs son las, y and menos for minutes, plus de la mañana, en punto, and 24-hour station times.

June 9, 2026 5 min read