Spanish Conversation · Level 54
75 words
Spanish word
microorganismo
Pronunciation
IPA/mikɾooɾɣaˈnismo/
Meaning
- masculine nounmicroorganism
Example
No se puede ver un microorganismo a simple vista.
A microorganism cannot be seen with the naked eye.
More examples
La presencia de microorganismos en los alimentos puede causar malestar estomacal.
The presence of microorganisms in food can cause stomach upset.
Core concept
Microscopic life such as bacteria, single-celled fungi and protozoa.
Common phrases
microorganismos en las manos
microorganisms on hands
presencia de microorganismos
presence of microorganisms
microorganismos en los alimentos
microorganisms in food
Similar words
bacteria: Single-celled microbe with cellular structure that grows and divides independently.
virus: Extremely small infectious particle that replicates only inside a host's cells.
germen: Microscopic agent capable of causing infection or disease.
hongo: Microscopic fungus that reproduces via spores or threadlike hyphae.
Definition in Spanish
Entidades biológicas de tamaño muy pequeño, normalmente invisibles a simple vista, que incluyen bacterias, hongos unicelulares y protozoos y que en sentido amplio también abarcan a los virus.
Word origin
It combines Greek micro- 'small' with organismo (from Greek organon 'organ'), naming a tiny living unit.
Usage tips
- Although some scientific usages include viruses, everyday conversation usually refers to viruses by name or uses microbio instead of microorganismo.
Related words
- microbiomicrobenoun
- microbiologíamicrobiologynoun
- microbianomicrobialadjective