Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for fungus depends on the context: visible mushrooms, mold, yeast, or medical conditions. The most common everyday word is きのこ (mushroom), but for mold or microscopic fungi, カビ is used. In scientific or medical contexts, 真菌 is the formal term.
The learner wants to refer to a mushroom, the fruiting body of a fungus, typically found in forests or used in cooking.
The most common word for mushroom. Used for both wild and cultivated edible mushrooms, as well as in general conversation.
秋になると、山にきのこがたくさん生える。
In autumn, many mushrooms grow in the mountains.
このきのこは食べられますか？
Is this mushroom edible?
Katakana form often used in menus, product names, or to give a slightly modern/visual emphasis. Same meaning as きのこ.
キノコのパスタが好きです。
I like mushroom pasta.
Kanji form, used in formal or literary contexts, or in traditional restaurant names. Not commonly used in everyday writing.
茸狩りに行きませんか？
Would you like to go mushroom hunting?
The learner wants to refer to mold, the fuzzy or powdery fungus that grows on damp surfaces, food, or organic matter.
The standard word for mold or mildew. Used for household mold, food spoilage, and general non-mushroom fungi.
パンにカビが生えた。
Mold grew on the bread.
浴室のカビを掃除する。
I clean the mold in the bathroom.
Kanji form, rarely used in modern writing. Mostly seen in scientific or literary contexts.
黴が生える。
Mold grows.
The learner wants to refer to yeast or fungi used in fermentation (bread, alcohol, etc.).
The standard word for yeast, especially in baking and brewing. Often used in compounds like 酵母菌 (yeast fungus).
パンを作るには酵母が必要です。
You need yeast to make bread.
Loanword from English 'yeast', commonly used in baking contexts, often on product labels.
The learner wants to refer to a fungal infection (e.g., athlete's foot) or the biological category of fungi.
The formal medical/biological term for fungus. Used for fungal infections (真菌症) and in scientific classification.
水虫は真菌の一種です。
Athlete's foot is a type of fungus.
真菌感染症の治療には抗真菌薬が使われる。
Antifungal drugs are used to treat fungal infections.
General term for bacteria or fungus, often used in compounds. In context, can refer to fungus, but may need clarification.
この菌は湿気を好む。
This fungus thrives in humidity.
The learner wants to talk about fungi as a group of organisms, distinct from plants and animals.
The biological term for the kingdom Fungi. Used in scientific and educational contexts.
菌類は植物でも動物でもない。
Fungi are neither plants nor animals.
More specific term for true fungi, sometimes used interchangeably with 菌類 in formal contexts.
きのこ specifically means mushroom. Using it for mold (カビ) or yeast (酵母) will cause confusion. For general fungus, use 真菌 or 菌類 in scientific contexts.
In daily life, Japanese speakers rarely use the word 'fungus' as a broad category. They refer to specific types: きのこ (mushroom), カビ (mold), 酵母 (yeast). Reserve 真菌 for medical or biological discussions.
イーストをぬるま湯で溶かす。
Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water.
真菌類には多くの種類が含まれる。
Fungi include many species.