noun
Refers to fungi in the biological sense, including molds and mushrooms. Often used in compounds like 菌類 (fungi).
See also: 菌類
このキノコは食用の菌です。
This mushroom is an edible fungus.
パンに菌が生えてしまった。
Mold has grown on the bread.
noun
Commonly used for harmful microorganisms, especially bacteria. Often appears in compounds like 細菌 (bacteria) and 殺菌 (sterilization).
See also: 細菌
手にはたくさんの菌がついている。
There are many germs on your hands.
この薬は菌を殺す効果がある。
This medicine is effective at killing bacteria.
The kanji 菌 is a phono-semantic compound: the grass radical 艹 suggests a plant-like organism, while 困 provides the sound. The reading きん is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi.