益生菌
yìshēngjùn
益生菌 (yìshēngjùn) is the Mandarin word for probiotic. Wiktionary also lists 益菌 (yìjùn).
Meaning: food or dietary supplement (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 益生菌 | yìshēngjùn |
| 益菌 | yìjùn |
The term refers to a food or dietary supplement.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 益生菌 is composed of 益 meaning beneficial, 生 meaning living or producing and 菌 meaning bacteria or microbe.
Which one should you use?
益生菌 is the full, standard term, whereas 益菌 is a shortened, more colloquial version.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the term as an adjective to describe a product, such as 'probiotic yogurt', add the particle 的 to the noun, resulting in 益生菌的 or 益菌的.
How do you pronounce it?
yìshēngjùn
Did you know?
- In some Chinese health contexts, 益生菌 is discussed in relation to 'qi' 气, where balancing gut bacteria is seen as a way to ensure the smooth flow of vital energy throughout the body.
- The character 菌 used in 益生菌 is also used in the word for 'mushroom' 菌类, treating fungi and bacteria as part of the same general category of microbes.
- The character 益 meaning 'beneficial' is also used in the word for 'profit' 利益, linking the idea of health benefits to the idea of gain.
Examples in context
- 医生建议我每天服用益生菌。The doctor advised me to take probiotics every day.
- 这款酸奶中含有好菌，对肠胃健康很有帮助。This yogurt contains good bacteria, which is beneficial for digestive health.
- 益生菌饮料Probiotic drink
- 这种益生菌对肠道很有好处。Zhè zhǒng yìshēngjùn duì chángdào hěn yǒu hǎochù.This kind of probiotic is very good for the gut.
- 我每天都吃益生菌。Wǒ měitiān dōu chī yìshēngjùn.I take probiotics every day.
- 你想买这种益生菌吗？Nǐ xiǎng mǎi zhè zhǒng yìshēngjùn ma?Do you want to buy this probiotic?
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are at a pharmacy.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，你要买益生菌吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ yào mǎi yìshēngjùn ma?Xiaowen, do you want to buy probiotics?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen对，我想买一些调节肠道的。Duì, wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīxiē tiáojié chángdào de.Yes, I want to buy some for regulating my gut.
- 伟 Wei那这款益生菌很受欢迎。Nà zhè kuǎn yìshēngjùn hěn shòu huānyíng.Then this probiotic is very popular.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好的，谢谢你。Hǎo de, xièxiè nǐ.Okay, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “probiotic” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
