How to Say "Sperm" in Chinese

精子

jīngzǐ

The English word "sperm" is translated into Chinese as 精子 (jīngzǐ).

精子 refers to the biological cell known as sperm.

Meaning: cell (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The term is composed of 精 (jīng), meaning essence or seminal fluid and 子 (zǐ), meaning child or seed/particle.

Hokkien speakers use 精子 to denote sperm in both formal and informal contexts.

jīngzǐ

The character 精 in 精子 also forms the word for 'spirit' or 'elf' in Chinese folklore. This reflects an ancient belief that the same 'essence' creates both biological life and supernatural beings.
While 精子 is the biological term, Chinese often uses the word 种子 (zhǒngzǐ), meaning 'seed', as a euphemism for sperm when discussing fertility and lineage.
The word 精 is also used to describe 'refined' things, such as 精品 (jīngpǐn) for high-quality goods. This stems from the idea that the biological essence is the most concentrated and pure part of a substance.

精子很活跃。
Jīngzǐ hěn huóyuè.
The sperm are very active.
这种精子的质量很高。
Zhè zhǒng jīngzǐ de zhìliàng hěn gāo.
The quality of this sperm is very high.
科学家在研究精子的结构。
Kēxuéjiā zài yánjiū jīngzǐ de jiégòu.
Scientists are studying the structure of sperm cells.

A man and a woman are discussing a medical report.

俊杰 Junjie

报告显示精子数量正常。
Bàogào xiǎnshì jīngzǐ shùliàng zhèngcháng.
The report shows the sperm count is normal.
梓涵 Zihan

那我们就放心了。
Nà wǒmen jiù fàngxīn le.
Then we can feel relieved.
俊杰 Junjie

梓涵，我们要保持好心情。
Zǐhán, wǒmen yào bǎochí hǎo xīnqíng.
Zihan, we should keep a good mood.
梓涵 Zihan

好的，俊杰。
Hǎo de, Jùnjié.
Okay, Junjie.

Sources

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