Japanese Conversation · Level 116
60 words
Japanese word
細胞
Pronunciation
Romajisaibō
Meaning
- nouncell
Example
小さな細胞が集まって体を作ります。chii sa na sai bō ga atsu ma tte karada o tsuku ri ma su
Small cells come together to make the body.
More examples
顕微鏡で細胞を観察します。ken bi kyō de sai bō o kan satsu shi ma su
I observe cells under a microscope.
Core concept
Refers to the membrane-bound unit that forms the basic structure of a living organism.
Common phrases
細胞の数sai bō no kazu
number of cells
細胞の働きsai bō no hatara ki
cell function
細胞分裂sai bō bun retsu
cell division
Definition in Japanese
生物の体を形づくる、膜に包まれた生命活動の基本単位。sei butsu no karada o katachi zu ku ru maku ni tsutsu ma re ta sei mei katsu dō no ki hon tan i
Word origin
The word 細胞 (saibō) uses 細 (sai, "small") with 胞 (bō, "sac"), a combination that describes a small enclosed unit.
Usage tips
- In North American English, cell can also mean a mobile phone, but 細胞 (saibō) is used for the biological meaning.