kháng sinh
[xaːŋ˧˦ sïŋ˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for antibiotic is kháng sinh. Wiktionary also lists trụ sinh.
Meaning: substance that destroys or inhibits bacteria (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| kháng sinh | [xaːŋ˧˦ sïŋ˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kʰaːŋ˦˧˥ ʂɨn˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| trụ sinh | [t͡ɕu˧˨ʔ sïŋ˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʈʊw˨˩ʔ ʂɨn˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
The term refers to a substance used to destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria.
What does it mean word for word?
The word kháng sinh is composed of kháng, meaning to resist or oppose and sinh, meaning life or a living organism.
Did you know?
- Vietnamese pharmacies often sell kháng sinh over the counter without a prescription, a practice that differs sharply from the strict regulations in many English-speaking countries.
- Vietnamese medical terms like kháng sinh are deeply rooted in Sino-Vietnamese structures. This makes them look and feel very similar to technical terms in Chinese and Japanese.
- The term kháng meaning 'to resist' is the same root used in the Vietnamese word for 'protest' or 'resistance' in a political context.
Examples in context
- Tôi cần mua kháng sinhI need to buy antibiotics
- Bạn có thuốc kháng sinh loại nào?Do you have any specific type of antibiotics?
- Tôi có triệu chứng nhiễm trùng, tôi cần mua thuốc kháng sinhI have symptoms of infection, I need to buy antibiotics
- Bác sĩ kê đơn thuốc kháng sinh.The doctor prescribed antibiotics.
- Tôi cần uống thuốc kháng sinh.I need to take antibiotics.
- Loại kháng sinh này rất hiệu quả.This antibiotic is very effective.
Example conversation
A man is asking a woman about his medication at home.
- ChiAnh đã uống thuốc kháng sinh chưa?Have you taken your antibiotics yet?
- NamAnh chưa, anh đang tìm thuốc.Not yet, I am looking for the medicine.
- ChiThuốc kháng sinh ở trên bàn kìa.The antibiotic is on the table.
- NamCảm ơn em, anh thấy rồi.Thank you, I see it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “antibiotic” translations and entries kháng sinh, trụ sinh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
