Translation guide
A device or substance used to kill all microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, to make something completely clean and free of germs.
A machine or appliance that uses heat, steam, or chemicals to sterilize tools, bottles, or equipment.
In hospitals, surgical instruments are sterilized with a sterilizer.
A device that kills bacteria, but may not eliminate all spores. Often used for UV sterilizers or home appliances.
I bought a sterilizer for baby bottles.
A device for disinfection, often used in contexts like hand sanitizer dispensers or surface disinfection machines.
This sterilizer uses alcohol to disinfect hands.
Specifically an autoclave, a high-pressure steam sterilizer used in labs and hospitals. Technical term.
We sterilize the culture medium in the lab autoclave.
A liquid or chemical agent used to sterilize surfaces, wounds, or instruments.
Disinfectant solution; commonly used for cleaning wounds or surfaces. Not necessarily a full sterilizer but widely used.
Please apply sterilizer to the wound.
A sterilizing agent that kills all microorganisms. More technical than 消毒液.
A bactericide or germicide; kills bacteria but may not be sporicidal. Often used in household cleaning products.
A person whose job is to operate sterilizing equipment, e.g., in a hospital central sterile supply department.
Literally 'person in charge of sterilization'. Not a common standalone term; usually described by role.
He is a sterilizer at the hospital.
滅菌 (めっきん) means complete sterilization, killing all microorganisms including spores. 殺菌 (さっきん) means killing bacteria but not necessarily spores. 消毒 (しょうどく) means disinfection, reducing pathogens to a safe level. In everyday use, 消毒 is most common for cleaning wounds and surfaces, while 滅菌 is used in medical/lab contexts.
Surgical instruments must be sterilized.
Please disinfect your hands.
This sterilizer is used for sterilizing medical equipment.
I sterilize the cutting board with a kitchen sterilizer.