Translation guide
The English word "sterilization" has two main meanings: making something free of microorganisms, and making a person or animal unable to reproduce. These are expressed with different Japanese terms.
To describe the process of killing or removing all microorganisms from an object, surface, or environment.
The most common and general term for sterilization in medical and scientific contexts. It refers to the complete elimination of all microorganisms.
To describe the medical procedure or condition of making a person or animal incapable of producing offspring.
The standard medical term for surgical sterilization in humans, meaning "infertility surgery." It is neutral and factual.
彼女は不妊手術を受けることに決めた。
She decided to undergo sterilization.
滅菌 (mekkin) is complete sterilization, killing all microorganisms. 殺菌 (sakkin) is killing bacteria, but not necessarily all microbes. 消毒 (shōdoku) is disinfection, often for wounds or surfaces. In everyday English, "sterilize" is used loosely, but in Japanese these distinctions are more strictly observed in professional settings.
The English word "sterilization" in the reproductive sense does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using 滅菌 for this meaning would be incorrect and confusing. Always use context-appropriate terms like 不妊手術 or 去勢.
その病院ではすべての器具を滅菌している。
The hospital sterilizes all equipment.
子供をもうけた後、彼らは不妊手術を選んだ。
After having children, they opted for sterilization.
手術器具は使用前に滅菌する必要がある。
Surgical instruments must be sterilized before use.
この装置は高温で滅菌します。
This device sterilizes at high temperatures.
Often translated as "sterilization" but technically means "disinfection" or "killing bacteria." It may not eliminate all microorganisms, but in everyday language it is used similarly.
包丁は熱湯で殺菌してください。
Please sterilize the kitchen knife with boiling water.
Means "disinfection" and is commonly used for cleaning wounds or surfaces. It is less absolute than 滅菌 but often used in contexts where English would say "sterilize."
傷口を消毒してください。
Please sterilize the wound.
Refers to the process or treatment of sterilization, often used in technical or industrial contexts.
この製品は滅菌処理済みです。
This product has been sterilized.
Specifically means castration or neutering, usually for male animals. It can be used for humans but is more clinical or veterinary.
その犬は去勢された。
The dog was sterilized (neutered).
Literally "contraception surgery," often used for spaying/neutering pets. In human contexts, it may refer to procedures like tubal ligation or vasectomy.
猫に避妊手術を受けさせる。
Have the cat sterilized (spayed/neutered).
Colloquial term for vasectomy, borrowed from English "pipe cut." Used informally.
彼はパイプカットをした。
He got a vasectomy (sterilization).