激素 jīsù hormone
How to remember 激素: 激 excite + 素 plain = hormone.
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How it is used
- Hormone - 生长激素 (shēngzhǎng jīsù) growth hormone; 激素药 steroid/hormone drugs.
- A biology/medical noun; in everyday speech 激素 often carries a wary tone about drugs or food additives.
- Synonym 荷尔蒙 (hé'ěrméng) is a transliteration used more loosely/colloquially for hormones (esp. sex hormones).