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A2 noun #4,500 most common 8 min read

细菌

xìjùn Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 细菌 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 细菌 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 细菌 (xìjūn) means 'bacteria' or 'germs.' It is a word you learn in the context of daily habits and basic health. At this stage, you should focus on the idea that bacteria are small things you cannot see that can make you sick. You will most likely see this word on signs in bathrooms that say '请洗手' (Please wash your hands) to avoid bacteria. You might also hear it when someone talks about food being '脏' (zāng - dirty). A simple sentence you should be able to understand is: '手上有很多细菌' (There are many bacteria on [your] hands). You don't need to worry about the scientific details yet, just associate the word with hygiene and the need to wash things. Think of it as the 'invisible dirt' that you need to clean away. Learning this word early helps you understand common health advice in Chinese-speaking environments.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 细菌 (xìjūn) in more complete sentences and understand its role in basic health explanations. You should know that bacteria can be found in food, water, and on surfaces. At this level, you start to learn verbs that go with it, like '洗掉' (xǐ diào - wash away) or '杀死' (shā sǐ - kill). You might encounter this word when talking about why someone is sick: '他生病了，因为吃了有细菌的食物' (He is sick because he ate food with bacteria). You should also be able to distinguish 细菌 from other basic nouns like '水' (water) or '药' (medicine). You might see it in simple health brochures or in school textbooks for children. It's important to recognize that 细菌 is a noun and usually follows adjectives like '多' (many) or '少' (few). You are building the foundation to talk about why we do certain things for hygiene, like boiling water or using soap.

At the B1 level, you should understand the distinction between 'good' and 'bad' bacteria. You will start using terms like 有益细菌 (yǒuyì xìjūn - beneficial bacteria) and 有害细菌 (yǒuhài xìjūn - harmful bacteria). Your vocabulary is expanding to include related terms like '感染' (gǎnrǎn - infection) and '抗生素' (kàngshēngsù - antibiotics). You should be able to follow a conversation where a doctor explains a basic diagnosis involving bacteria. For example: '你的伤口被细菌感染了，需要涂药' (Your wound is infected by bacteria, you need to apply medicine). You will also encounter 细菌 in environmental contexts, like discussing the cleanliness of a river or the importance of food preservation. You should be comfortable using the word in both spoken and written Chinese to explain cause-and-effect relationships related to health and biology. You might also begin to see the word in news reports about health tips or food safety alerts.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 细菌 (xìjūn) in more technical and abstract discussions. You should be able to understand articles about microbiology, the role of bacteria in the ecosystem, and the history of medical discoveries like penicillin. You will learn more formal verbs such as '滋生' (zīshēng - to breed/proliferate) and '抑制' (yìzhì - to inhibit). At this stage, you should be able to discuss the pros and cons of bacteria in the human body, specifically the gut microbiome. You might participate in a debate or give a presentation on topics like 'Should we use so much hand sanitizer?' or 'The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.' Your understanding of the word should be nuanced enough to recognize it in academic titles or scientific news. You should also be able to distinguish between 细菌 and related terms like '真菌' (fungi) or '微生物' (microorganisms) without confusion in a professional or academic setting.

At the C1 level, your grasp of 细菌 (xìjūn) should be near-native. You can read complex scientific papers, medical journals, and philosophical texts that might use bacteria as a metaphor for growth or decay. You understand the nuances of bacterial classification (e.g., 革兰氏阳性菌 - Gram-positive bacteria) and the mechanisms of bacterial reproduction and mutation. You can follow fast-paced discussions among experts about biotechnology, genetic engineering of bacteria, or the use of bacteria in industrial processes like waste treatment. You are also aware of the cultural and historical impact of bacterial diseases in China and globally. Your use of the word is precise, and you can switch between casual, professional, and academic registers with ease. You might use the word in complex sentence structures involving advanced grammar, such as '以此种细菌为媒介' (using this type of bacteria as a medium).

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the word 细菌 (xìjūn) and all its technical and metaphorical applications. You can understand and produce high-level academic discourse in microbiology. You are familiar with the most specialized terminology associated with bacteria, including specific species names in Chinese and their roles in complex biological systems. You can analyze the rhetoric in public health policies regarding bacterial control and the socio-economic implications of bacterial research. At this level, you might even use the word in creative writing or sophisticated puns. You understand the deep etymological roots of the characters and how the concept of 'bacteria' evolved in the Chinese language as modern science was introduced. There are no limitations to your understanding; you can engage in high-level research, publish academic articles, or lead professional medical consultations in Chinese where 细菌 and its related concepts are central.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

细菌 in 30 Seconds

细菌 (xìjūn) is the Chinese word for bacteria, used in health, science, and daily hygiene contexts to describe microscopic single-celled organisms.
The word is neutral but often associated with 'germs' in everyday language; it can refer to both beneficial and harmful types of microbes.
Commonly paired with verbs like 'wash' (洗), 'kill' (杀), and 'infect' (感染), it's a fundamental term for anyone learning basic medical Chinese.
It differs from 'virus' (病毒) and 'fungus' (真菌), though all three are often discussed together in topics regarding cleanliness and illness.

The term 细菌 (xìjūn) is the standard Chinese word for 'bacteria.' Linguistically, it is composed of two characters: 细 (xì), meaning tiny, fine, or minute, and 菌 (jūn), which refers to fungi, germs, or microbes. Together, they literally describe 'tiny microbes.' In daily life, this word is most frequently encountered in contexts involving health, hygiene, medicine, and science. Unlike the word 'germ' in English, which can sometimes be used loosely to include viruses, 细菌 is scientifically specific to bacteria, though in casual conversation, people might use it to refer to anything microscopic that causes illness.

Biological Classification: In a formal or academic setting, 细菌 refers to a member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms which have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus. This includes both 'good' bacteria (益生菌) found in yogurt and 'bad' bacteria (致病菌) that cause infections.
Hygiene and Health: You will hear parents telling children to wash their hands to get rid of 细菌. It is the primary word used in advertisements for soap, hand sanitizer, and household cleaners that claim to kill 99.9% of germs.
Medical Context: Doctors use this word when explaining an infection. For example, if you have a sore throat, a doctor might determine if it is caused by 细菌 (requiring antibiotics) or a virus (病毒).

虽然很多细菌会导致疾病，但有些细菌对人类是有益的。 (Although many bacteria cause disease, some bacteria are beneficial to humans.)

厨房里的抹布如果不经常消毒，会滋生大量细菌。 (If kitchen rags are not disinfected regularly, they will breed a large amount of bacteria.)

显微镜下可以看到成千上万个细菌。 (Thousands of bacteria can be seen under a microscope.)

这种抗生素专门用来杀灭有害细菌。 (This antibiotic is specifically used to kill harmful bacteria.)

由于细菌感染，他不得不住院治疗。 (Due to a bacterial infection, he had to be hospitalized.)

When discussing bacteria in a positive light, such as those in the gut or fermentation, the term 有益菌 (yǒuyìjūn) or 益生菌 (yìshēngjūn) is used. Conversely, harmful bacteria are often called 致病菌 (zhìbìngjūn). The versatility of the word allows it to span from kindergarten lessons about washing hands to high-level microbiological research papers. Understanding 细菌 is essential for anyone navigating daily life in a Chinese-speaking environment, as it touches upon cleanliness, food safety, and medical health.

Using 细菌 (xìjūn) correctly in sentences requires an understanding of its role as a noun and the common verbs it associates with. Since bacteria are invisible to the naked eye, sentences often revolve around their presence, growth, or elimination. In Chinese grammar, nouns like 细菌 are often modified by measure words or quantities, such as '一种细菌' (a type of bacteria) or '大量的细菌' (a large amount of bacteria).

Common Verbs with 细菌: 1. 滋生 (zīshēng): To breed or proliferate. Used for bacteria growing in unsanitary conditions. Example: '潮湿的环境容易滋生细菌。' (Damp environments easily breed bacteria.)
2. 杀灭 (shāmiè): To kill or eliminate. Used for disinfectants or medicine. Example: '高温可以杀灭大部分细菌。' (High temperatures can kill most bacteria.)
3. 感染 (gǎnrǎn): To infect. Example: '伤口被细菌感染了。' (The wound was infected by bacteria.)
Adjectives Describing 细菌: 1. 有害的 (yǒuhài de): Harmful. '有害细菌对身体不利。'
2. 有益的 (yǒuyì de): Beneficial. '肠道里有很多有益细菌。'
3. 微小的 (wēixiǎo de): Tiny. '细菌是极其微小的生物。'

医生说他的感冒不是由细菌引起的，而是病毒。 (The doctor said his cold was not caused by bacteria, but by a virus.)

为了减少细菌传播，请在咳嗽时捂住口鼻。 (To reduce the spread of bacteria, please cover your mouth and nose when coughing.)

这种酸奶含有活性细菌，对消化系统有好处。 (This yogurt contains active bacteria, which is good for the digestive system.)

In complex sentences, 细菌 often appears in passive constructions using 被 (bèi), such as '食物被细菌污染了' (the food was contaminated by bacteria). It can also be part of compound nouns like '细菌战' (biological warfare) or '细菌学' (bacteriology). For A2 learners, focus on the relationship between hygiene and bacteria. As you progress, you will use it to describe more abstract scientific processes. Always remember that in Chinese, context dictates whether you are talking about a specific strain or bacteria in general.

The word 细菌 (xìjūn) is ubiquitous in modern Chinese society, appearing in various domains from the clinical to the domestic. Understanding where you will encounter this word helps in anticipating the context and meaning. It is not just a scientific term but a part of the everyday vocabulary related to health and safety.

In the Kitchen and Home: You will hear this word most often in discussions about food safety. Parents might warn children, '别吃掉在地上的东西，有细菌！' (Don't eat things that fell on the ground, there are bacteria!). Television commercials for dish soap or laundry detergent frequently use '杀灭 99% 的细菌' as a key selling point.
In Hospitals and Clinics: Medical professionals use 细菌 to diagnose conditions. You might hear a nurse say, '我们需要做个细菌培养' (We need to do a bacterial culture). It is also a common topic when discussing the misuse of antibiotics (抗生素), which are only effective against bacteria, not viruses.
In News and Science Media: Reports on public health outbreaks, new scientific discoveries in the gut microbiome, or environmental issues involving water quality often feature the word 细菌. Headlines might read, '科学家发现一种能分解塑料的细菌' (Scientists discover a type of bacteria that can decompose plastic).

这瓶洗手液声称能有效抑制细菌。 (This hand soap claims to effectively inhibit bacteria.)

实验室里正在进行细菌实验。 (A bacterial experiment is being conducted in the laboratory.)

Whether you are watching a documentary on National Geographic (in Chinese), reading a health pamphlet at a local pharmacy, or listening to a podcast about the 'superbugs' (超级细菌), the word remains consistent. It is a foundational term for understanding the invisible world that impacts human health. For learners, recognizing this word in these diverse contexts reinforces its importance and helps build a more robust medical and scientific vocabulary.

While 细菌 (xìjūn) is a straightforward noun, learners often make specific errors regarding its classification, usage in plural contexts, and confusion with similar-sounding or related biological terms. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Chinese sound more natural and scientifically accurate.

Confusing Bacteria with Viruses: The most common mistake is using 细菌 when you actually mean 病毒 (bìngdú - virus). While both can cause illness, they are biologically distinct. In Chinese, just as in English, calling a viral infection a 'bacterial' one is technically incorrect and can lead to confusion in a medical setting. Remember: '抗生素杀不死病毒，只能杀细菌' (Antibiotics cannot kill viruses, only bacteria).
Incorrect Measure Words: Learners sometimes use the wrong measure word. For a single bacterium, use 个 (gè) or 株 (zhū - for a strain). For a type, use 种 (zhǒng). Do not use '只' (zhī), which is for animals. Example: '一种细菌' (A type of bacteria), not '一只细菌'.
Assuming All Bacteria are Bad: Linguistically, some learners treat 细菌 as a negative word by default. However, in Chinese, you must specify if you mean 'harmful' (有害) or 'beneficial' (有益). Using the word alone is neutral.

错误：我得了细菌感冒。 (Wrong: I have a bacterial cold - Colds are usually viral.)
正确：我得了细菌性肺炎。 (Correct: I have bacterial pneumonia.)

Another mistake involves the character 菌. Be careful with its pronunciation; it is 'jūn' (first tone). Some learners mistakenly use the fourth tone 'jùn' which is a less common pronunciation used in specific regional dialects or older texts for 'mushroom.' Stick to the first tone for 'bacteria.' Finally, avoid over-translating the English word 'germ.' While '细菌' covers most 'germ' contexts, sometimes '病菌' (pathogenic bacteria) or '微生物' (microorganism) might be more appropriate depending on how professional you want to sound.

In the world of microbiology and health, 细菌 (xìjūn) is just one of many terms. Knowing the alternatives and related words will help you be more precise in your communication. Depending on whether you are talking about biology, medicine, or general cleanliness, you might choose a different word.

病毒 (bìngdú) - Virus: Often confused with bacteria, viruses are much smaller and require a host cell to replicate. You use this for the flu (流感), COVID-19 (新冠病毒), and common colds. Comparison: '细菌可以用抗生素杀灭，但病毒不行。' (Bacteria can be killed by antibiotics, but viruses cannot.)
真菌 (zhēnjūn) - Fungus: This includes molds, yeasts, and mushrooms. While 细菌 are prokaryotes, 真菌 are eukaryotes. In common usage, '真菌' is used for skin conditions like athlete's foot (脚气).
微生物 (wēishēngwù) - Microorganism: This is the umbrella term that includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. It is a more academic and inclusive word. Example: '海洋中充满了微生物。' (The ocean is full of microorganisms.)
病菌 (bìngjūn) - Pathogen / Germ: This literally means 'illness bacteria.' It is used specifically for bacteria that cause disease. If you want to emphasize the danger of the bacteria, use '病菌'.

对比：
1. 这里的细菌很多。 (There are many bacteria here - Neutral/General)
2. 这里的病菌很多。 (There are many germs/pathogens here - Negative/Dangerous)

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for intermediate and advanced learners. For example, if you are reading a scientific article, you will see '细菌' and '真菌' used to differentiate between bacterial and fungal infections, which require different treatments. In a casual conversation about cleaning, '细菌' is usually sufficient. By expanding your vocabulary beyond just '细菌,' you gain the ability to describe the microscopic world with much greater precision and sophistication.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word '细菌' was popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as Western science and germ theory were translated into Chinese, often via Japanese (where the same kanji are used: 細菌 - saikin).

Pronunciation Guide

UK xìjūn

US xìjūn

The emphasis is slightly more on the first syllable 'xì' because of the sharp falling tone.

Rhymes With

军 (jūn) 君 (jūn) 均 (jūn) 龟 (jūn - in specific names) 钧 (jūn) 绅 (shēn - near rhyme) 心 (xīn - near rhyme) 新 (xīn - near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jūn' as 'jǔn' (3rd tone).
Confusing 'xì' with 'qì'.
Pronouncing 'jūn' like the English word 'June'.
Misreading '菌' as '因' (yīn).
Using the 4th tone for 'jùn' (only used for specific mushrooms in some dialects).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are moderately common but the '菌' radical is easy to recognize.

Writing 3/5

Writing '细菌' requires remembering the silk radical and the grass radical.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is usually clear for learners.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, usually easy to pick out in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

洗脏小生病手

Learn Next

病毒抗生素显微镜感染预防

Advanced

革兰氏染色质粒芽孢新陈代谢基因组

Grammar to Know

Measure words for microscopic things

一个细菌 (one bacterium), 一种细菌 (one type of bacteria).

Cause and Effect with 由于

由于细菌感染，他生病了。

Passive voice with 被

伤口被细菌污染了。

Describing purpose with 用来

这种药是用来杀细菌的。

Frequency with 经常

经常洗手可以减少细菌。

Examples by Level

饭前洗手可以洗掉细菌。

Washing hands before meals can wash away bacteria.

Simple S-V-O structure.

这里有很多细菌。

There are many bacteria here.

Use of '有很多' to describe presence.

细菌很小，你看不到。

Bacteria are very small, you cannot see them.

Adjective '小' with degree '很'.

手上有细菌吗？

Are there bacteria on [your] hands?

Question with '吗'.

不要吃，有细菌！

Don't eat it, there are bacteria!

Imperative sentence.

水里有细菌吗？

Are there bacteria in the water?

Location '水里' + '有'.

医生说这是细菌。

The doctor says this is bacteria.

Reported speech with '说'.

洗手液可以杀死细菌。

Hand sanitizer can kill bacteria.

Verb '杀死' (kill).

我们要杀死衣服上的细菌。

We need to kill the bacteria on the clothes.

Use of '要' for necessity.

这种细菌会让人生病。

This type of bacteria will make people sick.

Measure word '这种' (this type).

显微镜下有很多细菌。

There are many bacteria under the microscope.

Prepositional phrase '显微镜下'.

由于细菌，食物变质了。

The food spoiled because of bacteria.

Cause '由于' (due to).

并非所有的细菌都是有害的。

Not all bacteria are harmful.

Partial negation '并非所有'.

我们要防止细菌传播。

We must prevent the spread of bacteria.

Verb '防止' (prevent).

这瓶药可以杀灭细菌。

This bottle of medicine can kill bacteria.

Formal verb '杀灭'.

细菌是怎么生长的？

How do bacteria grow?

Question with '怎么' (how).

抗生素是用来治疗细菌感染的。

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections.

Structure '...是用来...的'.

肠道中的有益细菌对健康很重要。

Beneficial bacteria in the gut are important for health.

Noun phrase with '有益'.

如果伤口不消毒，细菌会滋生。

If the wound is not disinfected, bacteria will breed.

Conditional '如果...就/会...'.

科学家在研究这种新型细菌。

Scientists are studying this new type of bacteria.

Progressive aspect '在'.

细菌在温暖潮湿的地方生长很快。

Bacteria grow very fast in warm and humid places.

Adverbial '很快'.

这种洗发水声称能抑制细菌。

This shampoo claims to inhibit bacteria.

Verb '抑制' (inhibit).

我们需要进行细菌培养实验。

We need to conduct a bacterial culture experiment.

Compound noun '细菌培养'.

细菌的种类非常繁多。

The types of bacteria are very numerous.

Subject '细菌的种类'.

滥用抗生素会导致细菌产生抗药性。

Abuse of antibiotics can lead to bacteria developing resistance.

Cause and effect '导致'.

这种细菌具有极强的生命力。

This type of bacteria has extremely strong vitality.

Verb '具有' (to possess).

细菌在生态系统中起着至关重要的作用。

Bacteria play a vital role in the ecosystem.

Phrase '起着...的作用'.

通过过滤，我们可以去除水中的细菌。

By filtering, we can remove bacteria from the water.

Method '通过' (through).

细菌的结构比真核细胞简单得多。

The structure of bacteria is much simpler than that of eukaryotic cells.

Comparison '比...简单得多'.

实验室成功分离出了一株致病细菌。

The laboratory successfully isolated a strain of pathogenic bacteria.

Resultative verb '分离出'.

细菌性疾病曾经是人类的主要死因。

Bacterial diseases were once the leading cause of death for humans.

Adjective '细菌性' (bacterial).

这种细菌能够分解土壤中的毒素。

This bacteria can decompose toxins in the soil.

Verb '分解' (decompose).

细菌的基因水平转移机制非常复杂。

The mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria is very complex.

Technical scientific terminology.

研究表明，肠道细菌与大脑功能密切相关。

Research shows that gut bacteria are closely related to brain function.

Phrase '与...密切相关'.

某些细菌能在极端高温的环境下生存。

Certain bacteria can survive in extreme high-temperature environments.

Pronoun '某些' (certain).

细菌的耐药性已成为全球公共卫生的重大威胁。

Bacterial resistance has become a major threat to global public health.

Complex subject with '已成为'.

这种细菌的发现彻底改变了我们对生命的认知。

The discovery of this bacterium completely changed our understanding of life.

Adverb '彻底' (completely).

细菌在生物地球化学循环中扮演着关键角色。

Bacteria play a key role in biogeochemical cycles.

Idiomatic '扮演...角色'.

通过基因编辑，我们可以改造细菌以生产药物。

Through gene editing, we can modify bacteria to produce drugs.

Purpose clause '以生产'.

细菌的代谢多样性令人惊叹。

The metabolic diversity of bacteria is amazing.

Adjective '令人惊叹'.

细菌之于地球，犹如基石之于大厦。

Bacteria are to the Earth what a cornerstone is to a building.

Analogy 'A之于B，犹如C之于D'.

即便在最严酷的荒原，细菌依然在无声地繁衍。

Even in the harshest wastelands, bacteria continue to reproduce silently.

Concessive '即便...依然'.

人类与细菌的博弈是一场永无止境的战争。

The game between humans and bacteria is a never-ending war.

Metaphorical usage.

细菌的演化速度往往令抗生素研发望尘莫及。

The evolution speed of bacteria often leaves antibiotic research in the dust.

Idiom '望尘莫及'.

我们应当审视细菌在生命演化史中的奠基地位。

We should examine the foundational position of bacteria in the history of life's evolution.

Formal verb '审视'.

细菌的这种特性为合成生物学提供了无限可能。

This characteristic of bacteria provides infinite possibilities for synthetic biology.

Abstract noun '无限可能'.

细菌的群聚感应现象揭示了其复杂的社会行为。

The phenomenon of quorum sensing in bacteria reveals their complex social behavior.

Specialized concept '群聚感应'.

在此语境下，细菌不仅是生物学概念，更是生态哲学的象征。

In this context, bacteria are not only a biological concept but also a symbol of ecological philosophy.

Structure '不仅是...更是'.

Common Collocations

滋生细菌

杀灭细菌

细菌感染

细菌培养

有益细菌

有害细菌

细菌战

细菌学

超级细菌

空气中的细菌

Common Phrases

洗掉细菌

— To wash away bacteria, usually from hands or food.

记得把水果上的细菌洗掉。

满手细菌

— Hands covered in bacteria.

刚玩完泥巴，你现在满手细菌。

细菌超标

— Bacteria levels exceeding the safety limit.

这批牛奶细菌超标了。

产生细菌

— To produce or cause bacteria to appear.

剩菜放久了会产生细菌。

抑制细菌

— To inhibit or slow down bacterial growth.

盐可以抑制细菌生长。

细菌分解

— Bacterial decomposition.

落叶被细菌分解成养分。

抗药细菌

— Drug-resistant bacteria.

抗药细菌非常难治疗。

细菌污染

— Bacterial contamination.

水源受到了细菌污染。

共生细菌

— Symbiotic bacteria.

人体内有很多共生细菌。

土壤细菌

— Soil bacteria.

土壤细菌对植物很重要。

Often Confused With

细菌 vs 病毒

Bacteria are living cells; viruses are genetic material in a protein coat. Antibiotics only work on bacteria.

细菌 vs 真菌

Fungi include mushrooms and mold. They are more complex than bacteria.

细菌 vs 细胞

Cells are the building blocks of life. A bacterium is a single cell, but not all cells are bacteria.

Idioms & Expressions

"细菌不入"

— Technically a modern descriptive phrase: so clean that no bacteria can enter.

实验室做到了细菌不入。

Descriptive

"防微杜渐"

— To prevent trouble by nipping it in the bud (metaphorically related to tiny things like bacteria).

对待细菌感染要防微杜渐。

Literary/Idiomatic

"见微知著"

— To see the micro and know the macro (scientific observation).

研究细菌可以见微知著。

Literary

"无孔不入"

— Getting in everywhere (often used to describe how bacteria spread).

细菌真是无孔不入。

Informal

"病从口入"

— Illness enters through the mouth (often due to bacteria on food).

一定要注意卫生，病从口入。

Proverb

"根深蒂固"

— Deep-seated (sometimes used for persistent bacterial colonies).

这种细菌在土壤中根深蒂固。

Literary

"微不足道"

— Insignificant/tiny (literal description of a single bacterium).

虽然细菌微不足道，但力量很大。

Common

"死灰复燃"

— A dormant thing coming back (used for recurring infections).

细菌感染可能会死灰复燃。

Literary

"星火燎原"

— A small spark starts a prairie fire (how a few bacteria cause a massive infection).

细菌繁殖如星火燎原。

Literary

"千变万化"

— Ever-changing (referring to bacterial mutations).

细菌的种类千变万化。

Common

Easily Confused

细菌 vs 病毒

Both cause disease.

Biologically different; viruses need a host, bacteria don't. Antibiotics treat bacteria, not viruses.

感冒通常是病毒引起的，不是细菌。

细菌 vs 真菌

Both have '菌' in the name.

真菌 are eukaryotes (complex cells), 细菌 are prokaryotes (simple cells).

脚气是由真菌引起的。

细菌 vs 霉菌

Related to spoilage.

霉菌 is a type of fungus (mold), not bacteria.

面包发霉是因为霉菌。

细菌 vs 微生物

Overlapping meanings.

微生物 is the general category; 细菌 is a specific group within it.

细菌是微生物的一种。

细菌 vs 病菌

Synonymous in many contexts.

病菌 specifically implies the bacteria cause disease.

我们要消灭这些病菌。

Sentence Patterns

这里有[Noun]。

这里有细菌。

[Noun]会让人生病。

细菌会让人生病。

[Noun]对[Something]很重要。

有益细菌对健康很重要。

由于[Reason]，[Result]。

由于细菌滋生，食物坏了。

[Subject]与[Object]密切相关。

细菌与环境密切相关。

[A]之于[B]，犹如[C]之于[D]。

细菌之于生态，犹如地基之于建筑。

用[Method]来杀死[Object]。

用高温来杀死细菌。

不要吃[Object]，因为有[Noun]。

不要吃那个苹果，因为有细菌。

Word Family

Nouns

细菌学

细菌学家

细菌战

益生菌

致病菌

真菌

Verbs

抗菌

灭菌

除菌

Adjectives

细菌性的

无菌的

带菌的

病毒

感染

抗生素

微生物

显微镜

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in health and hygiene contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using '只' as a measure word. → 使用 '个' 或 '种'。
Bacteria are not animals, so '只' is incorrect. Use '个' for counting individual units.
Calling a flu '细菌感染'。 → 病毒感染。
Flu is viral. Using '细菌' here is scientifically wrong.
Pronouncing 'jūn' as 'jǔn'。 → 第一声 (jūn)。
The third tone is a common error among beginners.
Writing '细' without the dots in '田'。 → 细 (田 part must be clear).
Stroke order and accuracy in '细' are important for legibility.
Thinking 细菌 is always bad. → 有益细菌。
Don't forget that many bacteria are necessary for life.

Tips

Using Measure Words

Always use '一种' when talking about a species of bacteria. For example, '这是一种危险的细菌'.

Hot Water Culture

If you wonder why Chinese people love hot water, remember that boiling water is the traditional way to kill '细菌'.

The 'Jun' Family

Many words ending in '菌' relate to microbes. Learning '细菌' helps you understand '真菌' (fungus) and '霉菌' (mold).

Character Balance

When writing '细', make the left side (silk) slightly narrower than the right side (field) for better aesthetics.

Tone Accuracy

Practice the transition from the falling 'xì' to the high level 'jūn' to sound more native.

Medical Accuracy

When at a pharmacy in China, specify '细菌感染' if you are looking for antibacterial products.

Hand Washing

The phrase '饭前便后要洗手' (Wash hands before meals and after the toilet) is the most common context for this word.

Root Meanings

Remembering that '细' means 'tiny' will help you with other words like '细节' (detail) and '细胞' (cell).

News Keywords

In news about health, '细菌' is often followed by '爆发' (outbreak) or '传播' (spread).

Mnemonic

Think of 'Xi-Jun' as a tiny soldier ('Jun' also means army) fighting in your body.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'tiny' (细) 'mushroom' (菌) so small you need a microscope to see it.

Visual Association

Visualize a silk thread (细) wrapped around a tiny sprout (菌).

Word Web

细菌洗手生病医生药显微镜干净脏

Challenge

Try to find three items in your kitchen that might '滋生细菌' and name them in Chinese.

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '细' (xì) dates back to Oracle Bone Script, representing fine silk threads. '菌' (jūn) contains the 'grass' radical (艹), originally referring to fungi or mushrooms.

Original meaning: Tiny fungus or microscopic organism.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing '细菌战' (biological warfare) in historical contexts, as it refers to sensitive events in 20th-century Asian history.

In English, 'germs' is often the go-to word for children, while 'bacteria' is slightly more formal. In Chinese, '细菌' covers both levels of formality.

Louis Pasteur (translated as 巴斯德) and the discovery of bacteria. The history of the Plague in China. Modern yogurt brands like Genki Forest (元气森林) emphasizing probiotics.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital

细菌感染
细菌培养
抗生素
化验结果

Kitchen

食品卫生
滋生细菌
消毒
变质

Classroom

微生物学
单细胞
显微镜
分裂繁殖

Bathroom

洗手液
除菌
保持干燥
杀灭

Advertising

抑菌率
有效杀菌
天然成分
保护健康

Conversation Starters

"你知道为什么我们要用肥皂洗手吗？ (Do you know why we wash our hands with soap?)"

"这种酸奶里的益生菌对肚子好吗？ (Are the probiotics in this yogurt good for the stomach?)"

"你觉得手机屏幕上的细菌多吗？ (Do you think there are many bacteria on phone screens?)"

"如果食物掉在地上三秒钟，还会有细菌吗？ (If food falls on the ground for three seconds, are there still bacteria?)"

"抗生素真的能杀死所有细菌吗？ (Can antibiotics really kill all bacteria?)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你每天为了减少细菌感染而做的三件事。 (Write about three things you do every day to reduce bacterial infection.)

描述一下如果你能像显微镜一样看到细菌，世界会是什么样子。 (Describe what the world would look like if you could see bacteria like a microscope.)

讨论一下为什么有些细菌对我们是有好处的。 (Discuss why some bacteria are beneficial to us.)

记录一次你生病（细菌性）的经历。 (Record an experience of when you were sick with a bacterial illness.)

想象你是实验室里的一个细菌，写一天的日记。 (Imagine you are a bacterium in a lab, write a one-day diary.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In Chinese, nouns don't change form for plural. '细菌' can mean one or many bacteria depending on context. If you need to specify, use '一个细菌' or '很多细菌'.

The most common term is '益生菌' (yìshēngjūn) or '有益细菌' (yǒuyì xìjūn).

Technically no. While some people use it loosely, it's better to use '病毒' (bìngdú) for viruses to be accurate.

The most common measure word is '个' (gè). For types, use '种' (zhǒng). For a strain, scientists use '株' (zhū).

In '细菌', it is always 'jūn' (1st tone). 'jùn' is sometimes used for mushrooms in specific contexts, but 'jūn' is the standard.

It is '细菌感染' (xìjūn gǎnrǎn).

There isn't a direct opposite noun, but '无菌' (wújūn) means sterile or germ-free.

Yes, it is very common in daily life, especially in commercials and health advice.

They might use '病菌' (bìngjūn) or just say '脏东西' (zāng dōngxi - dirty things) in very casual settings.

Antibiotics are called '抗生素' (kàngshēngsù).