Definition

1. Noun:

   • Parasite: An organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense. This is the primary and most common meaning.
   • Parasitism: The relationship or state of being a parasite. (This is a derived, more abstract meaning).

2. Verb (to be parasitic): The word "ký sinh" itself functions as a noun. The verbal concept is expressed as "sống ký sinh" (to live parasitically).

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Giun đũa là một loại ký sinh nguy hiểm. (The roundworm is a dangerous parasite.)
  • Các nhà khoa học đang nghiên cứu vòng đời của loài ký sinh này. (Scientists are studying the life cycle of this parasite.)
  • Mối quan hệ ký sinh thường gây hại cho vật chủ. (A parasitic relationship is often harmful to the host.)

• Verb Concept (sống ký sinh):

  • Một số loài nấm sống ký sinh trên cây. (Some species of fungi live parasitically on trees.)
  • Con sán này ký sinh trong gan. (This fluke parasitizes the liver.)

Advanced Usage

• Ký sinh bắt buộc (Obligate parasite): A parasite that cannot complete its life cycle without exploiting a suitable host.
• Ký sinh tùy ý (Facultative parasite): An organism that may resort to parasitic activity but does not rely on a host to complete its life cycle.
• Vật ký sinh (Parasitic organism): Another term for a parasite.
• Hiện tượng ký sinh (Parasitism): The phenomenon or biological interaction of parasitism.

Variants and Related Words

• Ký sinh trùng (n): Parasite. This is a very common compound noun, essentially synonymous with "ký sinh" but more specific, often referring to parasitic animals, especially worms and protozoa. (e.g., - Malaria parasite).
• Ký chủ (n): Host (the organism that harbors the parasite).
• Sống ký sinh (v): To live as a parasite, to be parasitic.
• Cộng sinh (n): Symbiosis/Mutualism (a different, often beneficial biological relationship).

Synonyms

• Vật sống nhờ: An organism that lives off another.
• Vật ăn bám: A freeloading organism (can have a broader, sometimes figurative meaning).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Ăn bám, sống bám: To freeload, to sponge off someone. These are figurative, social uses meaning to depend on others for support without contributing, analogous to biological parasitism.

  • Anh ta không làm việc, chỉ biết sống bám vào gia đình. (He doesn't work, he just sponges off his family.)

• Ký sinh vào/trên: To parasitize on/in. This is the verbal phrase used in biological contexts.

  • Loài tầm gửi ký sinh trên các cây gỗ lớn. (Mistletoe parasitizes large trees.)

noun

1. parasitic
   • ký sinh trùng
     parasite