抗生素

• Pinyin: kàng shēng sù
• Hanzi breakdown: 抗 = resist; 生 = life, living (bacteria); 素 = element, substance — anti-bacterial substance

Meaning

Antibiotic; antibacterial medication.

Medicine that kills or inhibits bacteria. A medical/scientific term now commonly known by the public. In China, antibiotic overuse has been a public health concern. Collocates with 滥用 (overuse), 耐药性 (drug resistance), 处方 (prescription).

Examples

1. 医生说这只是普通感冒，不需要吃抗生素。 The doctor said it's just a common cold — no need to take antibiotics.
2. 抗生素滥用会导致细菌产生耐药性，这是个严重的问题。 Antibiotic overuse leads to bacterial drug resistance, which is a serious problem.
3. 现在很多国家规定抗生素必须凭处方购买。 Now many countries require antibiotics to be purchased only with a prescription.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, health, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 医生给我开了抗生素。(The doctor prescribed me antibiotics.)
• 不要随便吃抗生素。(Don't take antibiotics casually.)

Don't Say

• 我吃了抗生素治疗病毒感染。(Antibiotics don't work on viruses — use 抗病毒药 for viral infections)

Origin & History

抗 (against) + 生 (life, living) + 素 (element). Literally 'anti-life element' — substance that works against bacterial life.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal