培養

• Reading: ばいよう
• Romaji: baiyō
• Kanji breakdown: 培 (bai/tsuchika-) — cultivate, nurture; 養 (yō/yashina-) — nourish, raise
• Pronunciation: /ba.i.joː/

Meaning

Cultivation; culture; the process of growing microorganisms, cells, or tissues in a controlled artificial environment. Also used figuratively for nurturing talent or skills.

A noun (also suru-verb) central to microbiology, cell biology, and biotechnology. 細胞培養 (cell culture) is essential for vaccine production, drug testing, and regenerative medicine. 菌の培養 (bacterial culture) is used in diagnostics and pharmaceutical research. The figurative use 人材を培養する (to cultivate talent) is common in educational and corporate contexts.

Examples

1. 感染症の診断では患者から採取した検体を培養して原因菌を特定する。 In diagnosing infectious diseases, samples collected from the patient are cultured to identify the causative bacteria.
2. iPS細胞の培養技術の確立は再生医療の可能性を飛躍的に広げた。 The establishment of iPS cell culture technology has dramatically expanded the possibilities of regenerative medicine.
3. 培養液の温度・pH・栄養素濃度を厳密に管理することが細胞培養の鍵だ。 Strictly managing the temperature, pH, and nutrient concentration of the culture medium is the key to cell cultivation.

Usage Guide

Context: microbiology, cell biology, biotechnology, medicine, education

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 培 (bai — to cultivate, nurture soil) and 養 (yō — to nourish, raise). Both characters relate to carefully tending and nourishing something to promote growth.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Students and professionals

Social background: Technical