感染

• Reading: かんせん
• Romaji: kansen
• Kanji breakdown: 感 (kan) — feel, sense; 染 (sen) — dye, stain, infect
• Pronunciation: /ka.n.se.n/

Meaning

Infection; contagion; becoming infected. The spread of a disease to a person or organism.

A suru-verb (感染する) that is intransitive — the person becomes infected rather than infecting someone else. Commonly used in phrases like 感染が広がる (infection spreads) and 感染者 (infected person). A staple of health news and public health announcements.

Examples

1. 感染を防ぐために手洗いが大切だ。 Washing your hands is important to prevent infection.
2. その地域で感染者が増えている。 The number of infected people is increasing in that area.
3. 空気感染するウイルスには特に注意が必要だ。 Extra caution is needed for airborne viruses.

Usage Guide

Context: health, news, public health

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 感 (kan, feel/sense) and 染 (sen, to dye/stain). Literally 'stained by feeling,' metaphorically describing how disease permeates the body.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal