Translation and Meaning of: 細胞 - saibou

On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 細胞 (saibou) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.

Romaji: saibou

Kana: さいぼう

Type: noun

L: jlpt-n1

細胞

Translation / Meaning: cell biology)

Meaning in English: cell (biology)

Definition: The basic structural units that constitute living beings.

Sumário
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- Phrases

Explanation and Etymology - (細胞) saibou

The Japanese word 「細胞」 (saibou) refers to "cell" in the biological context. Its etymology is composed of two kanji characters: 「細」 (sai), meaning "small" or "detailed," and 「胞」 (hou), which refers to "membrane" or "wrapping." Together, these characters aptly describe a cell as a tiny structure enclosed within living organisms. The concept of a cell is fundamental in biology and, therefore, the term 「細胞」 is widely used in the life sciences and medicine in Japan.

The origin of the term can be traced back to the recent history of Japan, where there was a significant influence of Western scientific terminology during the Meiji Restoration. It was during this period that many modern scientific terms were introduced and adapted into Japanese, resulting in the creation of the word 「細胞」 to describe what is referred to in English as "cell." Furthermore, the understanding of cellular structures and their importance in the development and functioning of organisms was a concept that spread worldwide, driving the use of the term in different contexts.

In the Japanese language, the word 「細胞」 can be found in various combinations and contexts, reflecting its application in studies and research. For example, 「筋細胞」 (kinsaibou) means "muscle cell," while 「神経細胞」 (shinkeisaibou) refers to "nerve cell" or neuron. Each of these variations further details the type of cell according to its function and location in the human body, thereby highlighting the flexibility and adaptability of the Japanese scientific language in describing complex phenomena concisely.