Meaning and Usage
The Korean noun '중독' primarily means 'addiction' or 'poisoning' rather than just 'poison'. It refers to a state where a person is dependent on a substance or activity, such as smoking, drugs, or internet use. It can also mean poisoning caused by harmful substances.
Common Contexts
'중독' is often used in medical or social contexts to describe harmful dependencies or toxic effects. For example, '담배 중독' (cigarette addiction), '인터넷 중독' (internet addiction), or '식중독' (food poisoning).
Collocations and Patterns
- 담배 중독: cigarette addiction, used when talking about nicotine dependence.
- 인터넷 중독: internet addiction, common in discussions about technology overuse.
- 식중독: food poisoning, refers to illness caused by contaminated food.
- 중독 증상: addiction symptoms, used in medical treatment contexts.
Register and Nuance
'중독' is a formal noun used in both spoken and written Korean. It is neutral in politeness but often appears in serious or clinical discussions. Avoid confusing '중독' with '독' (poison) alone; '중독' emphasizes the state of being affected or dependent.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes translate '중독' simply as 'poison', but it usually implies addiction or poisoning as a condition, not just the substance itself. For example, '식중독' means 'food poisoning', not just 'food poison'.