Translation guide
A medicine that kills bacteria or stops them from growing. In Japanese, the most common and natural word is 抗生物質 (こうせいぶっしつ), but in everyday conversation, people often use 抗生剤 (こうせいざい) or simply the loanword アンチバイオティック.
Referring to antibiotics as a type of medicine, in general or medical contexts.
The standard, formal term for antibiotics. Used in medical settings, on prescriptions, and in official information.
The doctor prescribed me antibiotics.
Antibiotics don't work on viruses.
A slightly more casual or abbreviated term, common in everyday conversation and pharmacy contexts. Often used interchangeably with 抗生物質.
Antibiotics are useless for a cold.
The English loanword, sometimes used in product names or by younger people, but not as common as the Japanese terms. May sound technical or foreign.
I heard this antibiotic works well.
Referring to a particular antibiotic by name or class.
In Japanese, specific antibiotics are usually referred to by their generic or brand names, just like in English. Common examples include ペニシリン (penicillin) or セフェム系 (cephalosporins).
I have a penicillin allergy.
I'm taking a cephalosporin antibiotic.
Talking about bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.
In Japanese, 抗生物質 specifically targets bacteria. For viruses, use 抗ウイルス薬 (こうういるすやく). For general bacteria-killing products like hand soap, use 抗菌 (こうきん) or 除菌 (じょきん).
The broader term for drug resistance, including antibiotic resistance. Used in formal contexts.
Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem.