1.
benign; non-malignant
Not harmful or dangerous. Primarily used in medical contexts to describe tumors, growths, or conditions that are not cancerous or life-threatening.
良性の腫瘍だった。
It was a benign tumor.
検査の結果、良性と判明した。
The test results revealed it to be benign.
良性のポリープでも定期的に経過観察が必要です。
Even benign polyps require regular follow-up observation.
Composed of 良 (good) and 性 (nature/character). Almost exclusively used in medical contexts. When hearing test results, 良性です is reassuring news.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 良性腫瘍: benign tumor
- 良性のポリープ: benign polyp
- 良性と診断される: to be diagnosed as benign
- 良性疾患: benign disease
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 悪性: malignant — the opposite; cancerous or dangerous
- 陽性: positive (test result) — a different medical term; positive does not mean malignant
- 陰性: negative (test result) — negative test result
NOTE ON HOMOPHONES:
Do not confuse with 両性 (both sexes / bisexuality), which has the same reading.