抗こう菌きん

こ

う

き

ん

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun-modifying (irregular), noun

antibacterial; antimicrobial

Describes substances, treatments, or products that inhibit the growth of bacteria or microorganisms. Common in medical, household, and textile contexts.

このマスクには抗こう菌きん加か工こうが施ほどこされてい

ます

。

This mask has an antibacterial treatment.

抗こう菌きん作さ用ようのあるハンドソープを使つかっている。

I use a hand soap with antibacterial properties.

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉に抗こう菌きん加か工こうを施ほどこすto apply an antibacterial treatment/coating to something
このタオルには抗こう菌きん加か工こうが施ほどこされている。
This towel has been given an antibacterial treatment.
抗こう菌きん効こう果かがあるto have an antibacterial effect
この成せい分ぶんには強つよい抗こう菌きん効こう果かがある。
This ingredient has a strong antibacterial effect.
抗こう菌きん〈物もの〉an antibacterial (item), e.g. antibacterial spray/goods
最さい近きんは抗こう菌きんグッズがよく売うれている。
Antibacterial goods have been selling well lately.

Kanji

抗confront, resist, defy
菌germ, fungus, bacteria

Related words

殺さっ菌きん
殺菌 means killing bacteria outright, while 抗菌 only suppresses their growth without necessarily destroying them.
除じょ菌きん
除菌 refers to physically removing bacteria from a surface, whereas 抗菌 refers to preventing bacteria from multiplying in the first place.

Don't confuse with

抗こう生せい物ぶっ質しつ
抗生物質 is a specific drug (antibiotic) used to treat infections, while 抗菌 is a broader adjective describing anything that inhibits bacterial growth, including everyday products.

Word family

抗こう菌きん剤ざい
antimicrobial agent; antibacterial agent
抗こう菌きん性せい
antibacterial property; antibacterial
抗こう菌きん薬やく
antibacterial drug; antimicrobial drug
抗こう菌きんスペクトル
antimicrobial spectrum; antibacterial spectrum

Etymology

Compound of 抗 (こう, 'oppose, resist') and 菌 (きん, 'bacteria, fungus'). The term is a modern coinage reflecting scientific and medical vocabulary.