Translation guide
Describes substances, products, or actions that kill bacteria or inhibit their growth. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed with the prefix 抗菌 (こうきん) or the term 抗菌性 (こうきんせい).
To say that something has the property of killing or inhibiting bacteria, often used for soaps, wipes, coatings, etc.
antibacterial soap · antibacterial wipes · antibacterial coating
The most common and versatile term. Used as a prefix or standalone noun meaning 'antibacterial'. Often seen on product labels.
This soap has antibacterial properties.
I bought an antibacterial cutting board.
Specifically means 'antibacterial property' or 'antibacterial quality'. Often used in more technical or descriptive contexts.
This material has high antibacterial properties.
Means 'bacteria removal' or 'sanitizing'. While not exactly 'antibacterial', it is often used on similar products (wipes, sprays) and implies reducing bacteria. Note: 除菌 does not necessarily kill all bacteria, unlike 殺菌.
除菌 means 'removing bacteria', not necessarily killing them. For 'sterilizing' or 'killing bacteria', use 殺菌 (さっきん).
Please wipe the table with antibacterial wipes.
Means 'sterilization' or 'bactericidal'. Stronger than 抗菌; implies killing bacteria. Often used in medical or food safety contexts.
Sterilization is thoroughly practiced in hospitals.
To talk about medicines that fight bacterial infections, such as antibiotics.
These three terms are often confused. 抗菌 (こうきん) means 'antibacterial' – inhibiting growth or killing bacteria. 除菌 (じょきん) means 'removing bacteria' – reducing the number of bacteria, but not necessarily killing them. 殺菌 (さっきん) means 'sterilizing' or 'killing bacteria' – a stronger claim. On product labels, 抗菌 is common for everyday items, while 除菌 is used for cleaning products, and 殺菌 for medical or food safety contexts.
In English, 'antibacterial' is often used loosely for cleaning products. In Japanese, the specific term used depends on the action: 抗菌 for inhibiting growth, 除菌 for removal, 殺菌 for killing. Check the product's function before choosing a term.
Literally 'antibiotic substance'. The common term for 'antibiotics' in everyday language. Often used interchangeably with 抗菌薬, but 抗生物質 is more widely understood.
Antibiotics don't work for a cold.