感染

かんせん

infection, contagion

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Usage and Nuances of 感染

The word 感染 (gǎnrǎn) primarily means "to infect" or "infection." It is commonly used in medical and health contexts to describe the transmission of diseases or viruses from one person or organism to another. When using 感染, speakers often imply a biological or viral transmission rather than metaphorical influence.

Common Collocations

These collocations emphasize the medical and epidemiological aspects of the word.

Register and Tone

感染 is a neutral, formal term often found in news reports, scientific discussions, and health advisories. It is not typically used in casual conversation unless discussing illness or health.

Common Confusion

感染 should not be confused with 传染 (chuánrǎn), which also means "to infect" or "contagious." 感染 focuses more on the state or process of being infected, while 传染 emphasizes the act of transmission. For example, a person can 感染 a virus, but the virus 传染别人.

Understanding this distinction helps learners use these words accurately in different contexts.

Example Sentences

The virus can spread through the air, causing more people to become

He has been running a fever for several days because he was infected with

The infection rate of this virus is very high, so strict protective measures