1
a pathogen that causes [disease]
that 引导定语从句修饰 pathogen，具体指某一种病原体。
The pathogen that causes influenza changes every year.
引起流感的病原体每年都在变化。
病原体
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
病原体
any disease-producing agent (especially a virus or bacterium or other microorganism)
The pathogen that causes influenza changes every year.
引起流感的病原体每年都在变化。
能引起疾病的因子,尤指传染性微生物,如细菌、病毒、原生动物或真菌。
An agent that can cause disease, especially an infectious microorganism, such as a bacterium, virus, protozoon or fungus.
任何致病因子(尤指病毒、细菌等微生物)
any disease-producing agent (especially a virus or bacterium or other microorganism)
The lab test identified the pathogen that caused the infection.
实验室检测确认了引起感染的病原体。
Clean water helps stop pathogens from spreading in the community.
清洁用水有助于阻止病原体在社区中传播。
Scientists are studying how this pathogen survives in different climates.
科学家正在研究这种病原体如何在不同气候中存活。
that 引导定语从句修饰 pathogen，具体指某一种病原体。
The pathogen that causes influenza changes every year.
引起流感的病原体每年都在变化。
carry 表示携带病原体，主语常为动物、昆虫或人。
Some insects carry the pathogen and pass it to humans.
有些昆虫携带这种病原体并传染给人类。
pathogen 是可数名词，复数形式为 pathogens，可用 such as 举例。
Pathogens such as bacteria and viruses are found in many environments.
细菌和病毒这类病原体存在于许多环境中。
Not this
The pathogen virus causes disease.
Use this
The pathogenic virus causes disease.
pathogen 是名词，意为“病原体”；修饰名词表示“致病的”时应用形容词 pathogenic。
Not this
There are many pathogen in the water.
Use this
There are many pathogens in the water.
pathogen 是可数名词，复数形式是 pathogens；many 后接可数名词复数。
Not this
This disease is caused by pathogen.
Use this
This disease is caused by a pathogen.
pathogen 是可数名词单数，前需加限定词（如 a）；泛指复数时也可说 by pathogens。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
人类病原体
This virus is a known human pathogen.
这种病毒是已知的人类病原体。
致命病原体
Ebola is a deadly pathogen.
埃博拉是一种致命病原体。
病原体传播
Washing hands helps prevent pathogen transmission.
洗手有助于预防病原体传播。
水源性病原体
Cholera is caused by a waterborne pathogen.
霍乱由水源性病原体引起。
病原体检测
Rapid pathogen detection is crucial in hospitals.
快速病原体检测在医院至关重要。
传染性病原体
The lab studies how infectious pathogens spread.
该实验室研究传染性病原体如何传播。
Use pathogen naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
把 pathogen 拆成 path（路径）+ gen（生成）：病菌沿路径进入人体，生成疾病——病原体。
语域：formal 常见场景：医学、生物学、公共卫生 pathogen 属于正式、专业用语，多用于医学、生物学或公共卫生等专业语境；日常口语中更常说 germ 或 bug。
这些词都与 pathogen 一样以 -gen 结尾，读 /dʒən/，适合对照记忆词尾拼写；但它们都不是真正的押韵词，因为重音所在音节及后续辅音不同（如 oxygen /ˈɒksɪdʒən/、carcinogen /kɑːˈsɪnədʒən/ 与 pathogen /ˈpæθədʒən/ 不同）。注意 -gen 在词尾读 /dʒən/，不要按字形误读成 /ɡen/。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.