Japanese Conversation · Level 116
60 words
Japanese word
酵素
Pronunciation
Romajikōso
Meaning
- nounenzyme
Example
酵素は食べ物を消化するのを助けます。kō so wa ta be mono o shō ka su ru no o tasu ke ma su
Enzymes help digest food.
More examples
この洗剤には油汚れを分解する酵素が含まれています。ko no sen zai ni wa abura yogo re o bun kai su ru kō so ga fuku ma re te i ma su
This detergent contains enzymes that break down oily stains.
Core concept
Acts as a biological catalyst that speeds up a specific chemical reaction without being used up.
Common phrases
消化酵素shō ka kō so
digestive enzyme
酵素反応kō so han nō
enzymatic reaction
酵素活性kō so kas sei
enzyme activity
Similar words
触媒shokubai: A substance that speeds chemical reactions without being consumed, whether biological or not.
Definition in Japanese
生物の体内で化学反応を促進する触媒として働く物質。sei butsu no tai nai de ka gaku han nō o soku shin su ru shoku bai to shi te hatara ku bus shitsu
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese term 酵素 (kōso) combines 酵 (kō, "fermentation") and 素 (so, "basic substance"), naming a substance associated with fermentation.
Usage tips
- Enzyme labels on laundry products refer to proteins that break down substances such as food stains, so the word appears outside biology textbooks.