giftige

Giftige is a Norwegian adjective meaning poisonous or toxic. It describes substances, organisms, or environments that can cause harm through ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, or other exposure. The term is commonly used in everyday language as well as scientific and regulatory contexts to indicate a potential danger to health.

Etymology and form: Giftig derives from Old Norse giftr, meaning poison, with the usual Norwegian adjective suffix -ig. In usage, giftig serves as the base form, while giftige is the plural or definite plural form, as in giftige stoffer (toxic substances) or giftige dyr (poisonous animals). In more technical language, the synonym toksisk is used in some contexts, particularly in medical or chemical literature.

Usage and examples: Giftig is applied to a wide range of hazards, including chemicals (giftige kjemikalier), plants (giftige planter), fungi (giftige sopper), and animals that deliver venom or poison. It can also describe environments or elements with harmful properties, such as a giftig arbeidsmiljø (toxic work environment). The term is often paired with verbs such as være giftig (to be poisonous) or gjøre skade (to cause harm).

Nuance and related terms: Giftig is more specific to poison or toxin, while farlig is a broader term meaning dangerous in general. In everyday Norwegian, both can appear in warnings, but giftig emphasizes toxic properties rather than general danger. The word can also be used metaphorically to describe relationships or situations as toxic, for example et giftig forhold.

Regulatory and safety use: In public health and labeling, giftig is used to translate phrases like “toxic” or “poisonous” on warnings and product information, guiding handling, exposure avoidance, and safety measures.