杆菌 (gǎn jūn) — bacillus; bacilli (rod-shaped bacteria)

Definition

noun

bacillusbacilli (rod-shaped bacteria)

杆菌，。
Zhè shì yì zhǒng cháng jiàn de gǎn jūn, huì yǐn qǐ cháng dào gǎn rǎn.
This is a common bacillus that can cause intestinal infections.
杆菌。
Kē xué jiā zài shí yàn shì lǐ péi yǎng le zhè zhǒng gǎn jūn.
Scientists cultured this bacillus in the laboratory.
杆菌，。
Zhè zhǒng gǎn jūn duì gāo wēn hěn mǐn gǎn, jiā rè jiù néng shā sǐ.
This bacillus is sensitive to high temperatures and can be killed by heating.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

菌jūnbacterium

杆 gives the rod shape, while 菌 refers to the bacterium, so the sense is a rod-shaped bacterium.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

木干杆

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree

Sound part声符shēngfú

干

Same sound today

杆 pairs 木 (tree) with 干, which gives the sound. The 木 part shows the thing is made of wood.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

艹囷菌

Meaning part形符xíngfú

艹Written in full as艸cǎo

Sound part声符shēngfú

囷

囷qūn菌jūn

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The top 艹 is a plant sign, and the lower 囷 gives the sound.

Appears in