Japanese word

放射能

Pronunciation

Romajihōshanō

Meaning

  • nounradioactivity

Example

放射能が基準値を超えています。hō sha nō ga ki jun chi o ko e te i ma su

The radioactivity is above the limit.

Illustration for 放射能 (radioactivity)

More examples

雨の後、川の水から放射能が検出されました。ame no ato kawa no mizu ka ra hō sha nō ga ken shutsu sa re ma shi ta

Radioactivity was detected in the river water after the rain.

Core concept

Refers to the ability of a substance with unstable atoms to give off radiation as its atoms change.

Common phrases

  • 放射能を測定するhō sha nō o soku tei su ru

    measure radioactivity

  • 放射能を検出するhō sha nō o ken shutsu su ru

    detect radioactivity

  • 放射能の影響hō sha nō no ei kyō

    effects of radioactivity

Similar words

放射線hōshasen: Radiation emitted when unstable atoms change, such as alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays.
放射性hōshasei: The quality of a substance whose unstable atoms emit radiation.

Definition in Japanese

物質の原子核が変化するときに放射線を出す性質。bus shitsu no gen shi kaku ga hen ka su ru to ki ni hō sha sen o da su sei shitsu

Word origin

The Japanese compound 放射能 (hōshanō, "radioactivity") joins 放射 (hōsha, "radiation") with 能 (nō, "ability"), meaning the ability to produce radiation.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese science writing, 放射能 (hōshanō) names the ability to emit radiation, whereas 放射線 (hōshasen) names the radiation itself.

Word lists with this word