Definition

1. Verb:
   • To sterilize: To make something completely free from all living microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores. This process is often used in medical, laboratory, or food preparation contexts to ensure safety and prevent contamination.
   • To disinfect: To eliminate or reduce harmful microorganisms on surfaces or objects to a level considered safe. This is a common process in cleaning and hygiene.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Các bác sĩ phải khử trùng tất cả dụng cụ phẫu thuật. (Doctors must sterilize all surgical instruments.)
  • Chúng tôi cần khử trùng bề mặt bếp trước khi nấu ăn. (We need to disinfect the kitchen surface before cooking.)
  • Nước này đã được khử trùng để uống an toàn. (This water has been sterilized for safe drinking.)

Advanced Usage

• "được khử trùng" (to be sterilized/disinfected): The passive form, indicating the object undergoes the process.

  • Tất cả chai lọ trong phòng thí nghiệm đều được khử trùng cẩn thận. (All bottles in the laboratory are carefully sterilized.)

• "công nghệ khử trùng" (sterilization technology): Refers to the methods or technology used for sterilization.

  • Bệnh viện này đầu tư vào công nghệ khử trùng tiên tiến. (This hospital invests in advanced sterilization technology.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sự khử trùng (n): Sterilization, disinfection. The noun form referring to the process or act.

  • Sự khử trùng là bước quan trọng trong y tế. (Sterilization is an important step in healthcare.)

• Chất khử trùng (n): Disinfectant, sterilizing agent. A substance used for disinfection.

  • Hãy sử dụng chất khử trùng để lau sàn nhà. (Please use a disinfectant to clean the floor.)

• Tiệt trùng: A synonym often used interchangeably with "khử trùng," especially in the context of medical sterilization or food preservation (e.g., pasteurization).

Synonyms

• Tiệt trùng: To sterilize (often implies a more thorough or absolute process).
• Sát trùng: To disinfect, to antisepticize (often used for skin or wounds).

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Khử trùng bằng hơi nóng: To sterilize using steam/heat.

  • Khử trùng bằng hơi nóng là phương pháp phổ biến. (Sterilizing using steam is a common method.)

• Khử trùng bằng hóa chất: To disinfect using chemicals.

  • Hãy cẩn thận khi khử trùng bằng hóa chất. (Be careful when disinfecting using chemicals.)

Related Idioms

(Note: "Khử trùng" is a technical term, so it is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. Its usage is primarily literal.)

verb

1. to sterilize