(きん)

きん
noun / suffix
germ, bacterium, fungus
1. germ, bacterium, microbe
Microscopic organisms, often disease-causing.
Germs multiply.
To wash hands and remove germs.
乳酸(にゅうさん)(きん)
Lactic acid bacteria.
This food product has no harmful bacteria.
Natto bacteria and koji mold are essential for Japan's traditional fermented foods.
2. fungus, mold
Organisms including mushrooms and molds.
Bread rises due to yeast.
カビ(きん)一種(いっしゅ)だ。
Mold is also a type of fungus.
Natto bacteria and koji mold are essential for Japan's traditional fermented foods.

(きん) refers to microscopic organisms.

TYPES OF BACTERIA:

  • 細菌(さいきん) (bacteria - general term)
  • 大腸(だいちょう)(きん) (E. coli)
  • 乳酸(にゅうさん)(きん) (lactic acid bacteria)
  • 善玉(ぜんだま)(きん) (good bacteria)
  • 悪玉(あくだま)(きん) (bad bacteria)

FUNGI:

  • (きん)((るい)) (fungi)
  • カビ ((かび)) (mold)
  • きのこ ((きのこ)) (mushroom)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • (きん)(ころ)す (to kill germs)
  • (きん)(はい)る (germs get in)
  • 抗菌(こうきん) (antibacterial)