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感染 — meaning in English: infection

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Guess the translation for infection
テーマ
tēma
温度
ondo
ゲスト
gesuto
歯
ha
感染
kansen
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neutral common
Usage
The word 感染 (kansen) is commonly used in medical contexts, particularly when discussing diseases and their spread, such as during a doctor's appointment or in health reports. It can also appear in everyday conversations about health, especially during flu season or during public health crises like a pandemic.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is 病気 (byouki), which translates to 'illness' or 'disease'; however, 感染 (kansen) specifically refers to the process of infection rather than the condition itself. Use 感染 when discussing the transmission of diseases, while 病気 can be used more broadly to describe the overall state of being unwell.
Culture
Interestingly, the character 感 (kan) means 'feeling' or 'sense,' while 津 (sen) means 'river' or 'estuary.' This reflects the Japanese perception of infection as something that can flow through communities, much like rivers flow through landscapes. Additionally, the word has gained prominence in recent years due to global health discussions, making it a staple in contemporary Japanese vocabulary.
FAQ
Q.What does 感染 mean in English?
感染 (kansen) translates to 'infection' in English, referring to the invasion and multiplication of pathogens in the body.
Q.How do you use 感染 in a sentence?
You can say, "この病気は感染しやすいです" (Kono byouki wa kansen shiyasui desu), which means 'This disease is easily infectious.'
Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 感染?
A common mistake is to confuse 感染 (kansen) with 病気 (byouki). Remember that 感染 specifically refers to the act of infection, while 病気 describes the broader concept of illness.
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