German Conversation · Level 81
58 words
German word
Keim
Pronunciation
IPA/kaɪ̯m/
Meaning
- masculine noungerm
Example
Auf dem Teller befinden sich Keime.
There are germs on the plate.
More examples
Beim Putzen werden Keime auf Oberflächen reduziert.
Cleaning reduces germs on surfaces.
Core concept
A tiny starting point that can grow into a living organism, a plant, or an idea.
Common phrases
Keime auf Oberflächen
germs on surfaces
Keime abtöten
kill germs
Keime in der Luft
germs in the air
Similar words
Bakterium: A single-celled microorganism that multiplies by division and may cause infection or spoil food.
Virus: A tiny infectious particle that reproduces only inside host cells.
Erreger: A microorganism that causes an infectious disease.
Mikroorganismus: A living organism so small that it can be seen only with a microscope.
Definition in German
Ein Keim ist ein sehr kleines, meist nur mikroskopisch sichtbares Lebewesen (zumeist Bakterium); im übertragenen Sinn der Keim einer Idee.
Word origin
Keim is an inherited Germanic word related to keimen, 'to sprout'; its older sense was a bud or beginning before extending to microorganisms and ideas.
Usage tips
- Keim is masculine, with the plural Keime, and the noun is capitalized even when it means a microscopic organism.
Other meanings
- budnoun
- seednoun
Opposites
- Sterilitätsterilitynoun
- Sauberkeitcleanlinessnoun
Related words
- keimfreigerm-freeadjective
- Keimübertragunggerm transmissionnoun
- Keimzahlgerm countnoun