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Kotomora

菌

germ, fungus, bacteria

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes11

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

Explore all words using 菌 →

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.