Solche Gerüchte wirken wie Gift in einem kleinen Team.
Rumors like that act like poison in a small team.
Das Gift wurde im Labor nachgewiesen.
The poison was detected in the lab.
Ständiges Misstrauen ist Gift für eine Freundschaft.
Constant mistrust is poison for a friendship.
Die Schlange spritzt ihr Gift durch die Zähne in die Beute.
The snake injects its venom through its teeth into the prey.
Zynismus kann langsam zum Gift für jede Zusammenarbeit werden.
Cynicism can slowly become poison for any cooperation.
Similar words
Zerstörung
Giftstoff
Verderben
Schadstoff
Pflanzengift
Toxin
Schlangengift
Schaden
Toxikum
Bitterkeit
Meanings
Poison or toxin
noun
health
neutral
A harmful substance that can injure or kill a living thing when it is swallowed, breathed in, injected, or absorbed.
Examples
Das Gift wurde im Labor nachgewiesen.
The poison was detected in the lab.
Schon eine kleine Menge dieses Gifts kann gefährlich sein.
Even a small amount of this poison can be dangerous.
Die Schlange spritzt ihr Gift durch die Zähne in die Beute.
The snake injects its venom through its teeth into the prey.
Im Keller standen mehrere Gifte in einem verschlossenen Schrank.
Several poisons were kept in a locked cabinet in the cellar.
Nach dem Unfall suchten die Fachleute nach Gift im Trinkwasser.
After the accident, specialists looked for poison in the drinking water.
Similar words
Giftstoff
Toxin
Toxikum
Schadstoff
Schlangengift
Pflanzengift
Harmful influence
noun
everyday
neutral
Something that damages a person, relationship, mood, or situation in a slow or destructive way.
Examples
Ständiges Misstrauen ist Gift für eine Freundschaft.
Constant mistrust is poison for a friendship.
Solche Gerüchte wirken wie Gift in einem kleinen Team.
Rumors like that act like poison in a small team.
Zu viel Stress ist Gift für die Gesundheit.
Too much stress is poison for health.
Der Streit brachte neues Gift in die Diskussion.
The argument brought new venom into the discussion.
Zynismus kann langsam zum Gift für jede Zusammenarbeit werden.
Cynicism can slowly become poison for any cooperation.
Similar words
Schaden
Gefahr
Verderben
Bosheit
Bitterkeit
Zerstörung
Etymology
From Old High German and Middle High German gift, originally meaning a giving or present, from the Germanic family of geben, to give. The modern poison sense developed early as a euphemistic or transferred use, while the older present sense disappeared from standard German except in words such as Mitgift.
FAQ
What does Gift mean in English?
Gift usually means poison, toxin, or venom. Figuratively, it can mean something deeply harmful.
Does Gift mean a present in German?
No. The normal German word for a present is Geschenk. Modern standard German Gift means poison.
What gender is Gift in German?
Gift is neuter in modern German, so the usual article is das Gift.
What is the plural of Gift?
The plural is Gifte, as in chemische Gifte for chemical poisons.
Can Gift mean venom?
Yes. Animal venom, such as snake venom, can be called Gift, often more specifically Schlangengift.
Can Gift be used figuratively?
Yes. Das ist Gift für die Beziehung means it is poison for the relationship, or very harmful to it.
How is Gift pronounced?
Gift is pronounced /ɡɪft/, close to the English word gift but with the German meaning poison.
Where does Gift come from?
It comes from an old Germanic word connected with giving. The older present meaning survived in English, while German shifted to poison.
What is the difference between Gift and Giftstoff?
Gift is the everyday word for poison. Giftstoff is a more explicit word for a toxic substance.
What does darauf kannst du Gift nehmen mean?
The idiom means that something is certain, like saying it can be safely bet on. It does not mean taking real poison.
Comments & contributions
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