1.
germs; bacteria; bugs
A colloquial, non-technical term for harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Used in everyday conversation, especially when talking about hygiene and illness.
ばい菌が入らないように手を洗おう。
Let's wash our hands so germs don't get in.
傷口からばい菌が入ると化膿する。
If germs get into a wound, it will become infected.
子どもの頃、汚いものを触ると「ばい菌がつくよ」と言われたものだ。
When I was a child, if I touched dirty things, people would say 'you'll get germs.'
USAGE:
An everyday word used particularly by and when speaking to children. Not a scientific term — in technical contexts, 細菌 (bacteria), ウイルス (virus), or 微生物 (microorganism) are used instead.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ばい菌が入る (germs get in)
- ばい菌がつく (germs stick to, germs spread)
- ばい菌を殺す (to kill germs)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 細菌: bacteria — the technical/scientific term
- 病原菌: pathogenic bacteria — medical term
- 雑菌: miscellaneous bacteria — technical, used for non-specific contamination