菌
germ, fungus, bacteria
Readings
On'yomi
- キン
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
菌 centers on microscopic organisms that grow and spread, especially those associated with decay or disease: germs, bacteria, and fungi.
Most common words using 菌
20 of 265- 菌きんN2
fungus
- 細菌さいきんN2
bacterium; bacteria; germ
- 殺菌さっきん
sterilization; sterilisation; disinfection; pasteurization
- 乳酸菌にゅうさんきん
lactic-acid bacilli
- 抗菌こうきん
antibacterial; antimicrobial
- 大腸菌だいちょうきん
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
- 病原菌びょうげんきん
pathogenic bacteria; germ; pathogen
- ばい菌ばいきんN1
germ; germs; bacteria; bug
- 雑菌ざっきん
microorganisms; saprophyte; saprophytic bacteria
- 菌類きんるい
fungus; fungi
- 滅菌めっきん
sterilization; sterilisation
- 球菌きゅうきん
coccus
- 無菌むきん
sterilised; sterilized; sterile; pasteurised; pasteurized; germ-free; aseptic
- 菌糸きんし
fungal filament; hypha; hyphae
- 病菌びょうきん
pathogenic bacteria; germ; pathogen
- サルモネラ菌サルモネラきん
salmonella
- 桿菌かんきん
bacillus
- 菌株きんかぶ
(bacterial) strain
- イースト菌イーストきん
yeast cell
- 保菌ほきん
carrying a disease-causing agent; carrying a pathogen
Study
Etymology
菌 combines 艹 (plant) with 囷 (granary), suggesting something plant-like that grows in enclosed, stored conditions—fitting for fungi and bacteria. The phonetic role of 囷 is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The plant top 艹 over 囷 (a granary with grain 禾 inside walls 囗) shows fungus and bacteria growing on stored grain in a damp granary.
Reading mnemonic
For キン, imagine a keen scientist peering at germs under a microscope: keen -> キン, and the germs are 菌.