消毒剤(しょうどくざい)

しょうどくざい
noun
disinfectant; antiseptic
1. disinfectant; antiseptic
A chemical substance used to destroy or inhibit harmful microorganisms on surfaces, instruments, or skin.
傷口(きずぐち)に消毒剤(しょうどくざい)を塗(ぬ)った。
I applied antiseptic to the wound.
入口(いりぐち)に消毒剤(しょうどくざい)が置(お)いてある。
There is disinfectant placed at the entrance.
病院(びょういん)では消毒剤(しょうどくざい)を使(つか)って器具(きぐ)を清潔(せいけつ)に保(たも)っている。
Hospitals use disinfectant to keep instruments clean.

A compound of 消毒(しょうどく) (disinfection, sterilization) + 剤(ざい) (agent, preparation). Became an everyday term during the COVID-19 pandemic, when hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants became ubiquitous in public spaces across Japan.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 消毒剤(しょうどくざい)で拭(ふ)く: to wipe with disinfectant
  • 消毒剤(しょうどくざい)を噴霧(ふんむ)する: to spray disinfectant
  • アルコール消毒剤(しょうどくざい): alcohol-based disinfectant
  • 手指(しゅし)消毒剤(しょうどくざい): hand sanitizer

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 殺菌剤(さっきんざい): germicide, bactericide — focuses on killing bacteria, while 消毒剤(しょうどくざい) focuses on making something safe from infection
  • 除菌(じょきん)スプレー: antibacterial spray — a consumer product term
  • 消毒液(しょうどくえき): disinfectant solution — specifically a liquid form
general
Added 2026.4.7 21:43
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