Definition

1. Verb:
   • To sterilize: To destroy all living microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, from an object or surface, typically through chemical or physical means.
   • To disinfect: To eliminate or reduce harmful microorganisms to a level considered safe, often on surfaces or skin. This meaning is slightly less absolute than "sterilize."

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cần diệt khuẩn các dụng cụ y tế trước khi phẫu thuật. (Medical instruments need to be sterilized before surgery.)
  • Nước rửa tay này giúp diệt khuẩn hiệu quả. (This hand sanitizer helps disinfect effectively.)
  • Ánh nắng mặt trời có thể giúp diệt khuẩn trên chăn màn. (Sunlight can help disinfect bedding.)

Advanced Usage

• "diệt khuẩn phổ rộng": broad-spectrum disinfection/sterilization.
  • Chất tẩy rửa này có khả năng diệt khuẩn phổ rộng. (This cleaner has broad-spectrum disinfection capabilities.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khử khuẩn (v): To sanitize or disinfect. Often used interchangeably with "diệt khuẩn," though it can sometimes imply a lower level of microbial reduction.

  • Khử khuẩn tay trước khi ăn. (Sanitize your hands before eating.)

• Tiệt trùng (v): To sterilize completely. This term often emphasizes a higher, more absolute standard of killing all microbial life.

  • Sữa được tiệt trùng để bảo quản lâu hơn. (The milk is sterilized to preserve it longer.)

Synonyms

• Sterilize: To make free from all living microorganisms.
• Disinfect: To clean something using chemicals that destroy bacteria.
• Sanitize: To make something clean and hygienic by reducing microorganisms to a safe level.

Related Idioms

• Diệt khuẩn tận gốc: To eradicate bacteria at the root; to eliminate germs thoroughly.
  • Sản phẩm này quảng cáo diệt khuẩn tận gốc. (This product advertises that it eradicates germs at the source.)

verb

1. to sterilize