真菌(しんきん)

しんきん
noun
fungus; fungi
1. fungus; fungi
The biological kingdom of organisms that includes molds, yeasts, and mushrooms. In everyday Japanese, most commonly encountered in medical contexts — fungal infections of the skin, nails, or internal organs.
真菌(しんきん)に感染(かんせん)した。
I got a fungal infection.
水虫(みずむし)は真菌(しんきん)が原因(げんいん)の皮膚(ひふ)病(びょう)だ。
Athlete's foot is a skin disease caused by fungus.
湿度(しつど)が高(たか)い環境(かんきょう)では真菌(しんきん)が繁殖(はんしょく)しやすいので、換気(かんき)に気(き)をつけてください。
Fungi multiply easily in humid environments, so please pay attention to ventilation.

Composed of 真(しん) (true) and 菌(きん) (germ, fungus). The term 真菌(しんきん) distinguishes fungi as a separate biological kingdom from bacteria (細菌(さいきん)). In daily life, the word appears most often in medical and health contexts — discussing skin infections, mold problems, or food science.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 真菌(しんきん)感染(かんせん)症(しょう): fungal infection
  • 真菌(しんきん)類(るい): fungi (as a group)
  • 抗(こう)真菌(しんきん)薬(やく): antifungal medication
  • 真菌(しんきん)が繁殖(はんしょく)する: fungi proliferate

RELATED TERMS:

  • 細菌(さいきん): bacteria — often confused with fungi, but a different kingdom
  • カビ: mold — the everyday word for visible fungal growth
  • 酵母(こうぼ): yeast — a type of fungus used in fermentation
  • きのこ: mushroom — the fruiting body of certain fungi
general
Added 2026.5.1 1:21
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