Japanese word

作用

Pronunciation

Romajisayō

Meaning

  • nouneffect

Example

この薬の作用は強いです。ko no kusuri no sa yō wa tsuyo i de su

The effect of this medicine is strong.

Illustration for 作用 (effect)

More examples

運動には、心身を整える作用があります。un dō ni wa shin shin o totono e ru sa yō ga a ri ma su

Exercise has an effect that helps keep the body and mind in balance.

Core concept

Expresses how one thing works upon another and produces a particular outcome or change.

Common phrases

  • 作用があるsa yō ga a ru

    have an effect

  • 体に作用するkarada ni sa yō su ru

    act on the body

  • 作用が現れるsa yō ga arawa re ru

    take effect

Similar words

効果kōka: A result or change brought about by an action, treatment, or condition.
働きhataraki: The way something functions or operates in a particular situation.
影響eikyō: The effect that one person, thing, or event has on another.
効き目kikime: The degree to which a medicine produces its intended result.

Definition in Japanese

物事が他に及ぼす力や影響、また、その働きによって現れる変化。mono goto ga hoka ni oyo bo su chikara ya ei kyō ma ta so no hatara ki ni yo tte arawa re ru hen ka

Word origin

作用 (sayō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 作 (sa, "make") and 用 (yō, "use"), referring to an action that makes something happen.

Usage tips

  • 作用 (sayō) often appears in explanations of medicine, gravity, and heat, so it connects the everyday idea of an effect with the formal language of science.

Other meanings

  • actionnoun
  • functionnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word