Meanings of 菌
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 菌
Podcast: 菌
Podcast: 菌
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 菌
霉 (méi) refers specifically to mold, while 菌 (jūn) encompasses a broader range of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi.
Imagine a tiny mushroom (菌) growing on a piece of bread. The mushroom has a 'jūn' shape, resembling a small umbrella. This visual can help you remember both the meaning of 'fungus' and the sound 'jūn'.
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 菌; it should be pronounced as 'jūn' with a high level tone. A common mistake is confusing 菌 with '菌类' (jūn lèi), which means 'fungi' or 'mushroom types', as learners might omit the classifier.
Although 菌 is not in the HSK levels, it connects to other HSK vocabulary related to health and food, such as 食品 (shípǐn, food) and 健康 (jiànkāng, health). Focus on recognizing its usage in scientific contexts.
In Chinese cuisine, mushrooms (菌) are highly valued for their flavor and nutritional benefits, often featured in traditional dishes. This reflects the culture's appreciation for natural ingredients and health.
Learners often mispronounce 菌 as 'jun' instead of 'jūn', altering its meaning. Additionally, confusing it with similar characters like 虫 (chóng, insect) can lead to misunderstandings in context.
Pronunciation of 菌
Drill the tone of 菌 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 菌
plant
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 菌?
Decomposition of 菌
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 菌?
Write 菌
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 菌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 菌
菌 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
如果潮湿发霉的建筑令你生病了,霉____很可能是病因。
If damp, musty buildings make you ill, mould is probably the cause.
Example Sentences for 菌 (10)
Cultural Notes for 菌
In Chinese cuisine, mushrooms (菌) are highly valued for their flavor and nutritional benefits, often featured in traditional dishes. This reflects the culture's appreciation for natural ingredients and health.
In Western cultures, bacteria are often regarded solely as harmful, while in Chinese culture, certain types of fungi are celebrated as nutritious food sources, highlighting a more diverse view of microorganisms.
Word Family of 菌
Compound Meaning
What does 细菌 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 菌
It translates to 'germ', 'bacteria', or 'fungus', commonly used in biological contexts.