1
the germ of sth
用于比喻某事物的起源或萌芽。
The germ of the idea came from a conversation.
这个想法的萌芽源于一次对话。
病菌；病原体
germs — plural of germ
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
病菌；病原体
A microorganism that causes disease; a pathogen, especially a bacterium or virus.
The germ of the idea came from a conversation.
这个想法的萌芽源于一次对话。
新生物体发育的小细胞团；种子、芽、孢子或合子
The small mass of cells from which a new organism develops; a seed, bud, spore, or zygote.
为后续工作提供灵感的事物
anything that provides inspiration for later work
病原体:如细菌或病毒的致病微生物
A pathogen: a pathogenic microorganism, such as a bacterium or virus.
一种小而简单的结构(如受精卵),可以发展成完整的生物体
a small apparently simple structure (as a fertilized egg) from which new tissue can develop into a complete organism
The idea for the novel was just a germ in the author's mind before it grew into a full story.
这本小说的想法最初只是作者脑海中的一个萌芽，后来才发展成一个完整的故事。
Each seed contains the germ of a new plant, waiting for the right conditions to grow.
每颗种子都包含新植物的胚芽，等待适宜的条件生长。
Washing your hands regularly helps to remove harmful germs and prevent illness.
定期洗手有助于清除有害细菌，预防疾病。
用于比喻某事物的起源或萌芽。
The germ of the idea came from a conversation.
这个想法的萌芽源于一次对话。
Wash your hands to kill germs.
洗手以杀死细菌。
用于说明细菌的致病作用。
Germs cause many infectious diseases.
细菌引起许多传染病。
Not this
There are many germ in the water.
Use this
There are many germs in the water.
germ 是可数名词，指细菌时常用复数形式，需加 -s
Not this
She had germ of an idea.
Use this
She had a germ of an idea.
在固定短语 'a germ of an idea' 中，germ 前需要不定冠词 a
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
想法的萌芽；构思的雏形
That chance meeting was the germ of an idea for a new business.
那次偶然的会面是创办新企业的想法的萌芽。
传播病菌
Cover your mouth when you cough so you don't spread germs.
咳嗽时捂住嘴，以免传播病菌。
杀灭病菌；杀菌
The disinfectant spray kills germs on surfaces.
这种消毒喷雾能杀灭物体表面的病菌。
细菌战
Many countries have signed treaties banning germ warfare.
许多国家签署了禁止细菌战的条约。
小麦胚芽
She adds a spoonful of wheat germ to her yogurt.
她在酸奶里加了一勺小麦胚芽。
细菌学说；病菌理论
The germ theory of disease was a turning point in medicine.
疾病的细菌学说是医学的一个转折点。
想法的萌芽；初步构想
She had the germ of an idea for a new business.
她有了一个新业务的初步构想。
一丝真理；一点真实性
There is a germ of truth in his argument.
他的论点中有一丝真理。
Use germs naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
想象germ既指让你生病的“病菌”，又指能长成生命的“胚芽”，同一个词，一坏一好，记住都是微小的源头。
语域：mixed 常见场景：everyday health conversations、formal written English germ 一词有多个含义，语气和场合因义项而异。日常口语中常指“病菌”，多用于谈论生病、卫生等，比较随意，专业医学领域通常不用；书面语中还可表示“起源、萌芽”（如 the germ of an idea），比较正式。请根据语境判断具体含义和表达的语气。
日常用语中指细菌或微生物，专业领域不用于指致病细菌。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.