基因 jīyīn gene (loanword)
How to remember 基因: 基 foundation + 因 because = gene (loanword).
Characters
How it is used
- Gene - a phonetic loanword (jī+yīn): 遗传基因 (yíchuán jīyīn) hereditary genes, 基因编辑 (jīyīn biānjí) gene editing.
- Widely used figuratively for an ingrained trait or 'DNA': 创新是这家公司的基因 (chuàngxīn shì zhè jiā gōngsī de jīyīn) innovation is in this company's DNA.
- Neutral, appears in science, medicine, and business/branding talk.
Example sentences
- 我们应该对人使用基因编辑吗？ Wǒmen yīnggāi duìrén shǐyòng jīyīn biānjí ma?Should we use genetic engineering on people?
- 一些疾病的产生原因是基因缺陷。 Yīxiē jíbìng de chǎnshēng yuányīn shì jīyīn quēxiàn.Some diseases are caused by a defective gene.