Japanese word

酸

Pronunciation

Romajisan

Meaning

  • nounacid

Example

酸は金属を溶かします。san wa kin zoku o to ka shi ma su

Acid dissolves metal.

Illustration for 酸 (acid)

More examples

レモンには酸が含まれているので、少しすっぱいです。re mo n ni wa san ga fuku ma re te i ru no de suko shi su ppa i de su

Lemons contain acid, so they taste a little sour.

Core concept

酸 (san, "acid") is a chemically reactive substance associated with sourness and reactions that can affect metals and other materials.

Common phrases

  • 酸を含むsan o fuku mu

    contain acid

  • 酸を加えるsan o kuwa e ru

    add acid

  • 酸で溶けるsan de to ke ru

    dissolve in acid

Definition in Japanese

水に溶けて酸性を示し、金属などを溶かしたり他の物質と反応したりする物質。mizu ni to ke te san sei o shime shi kin zoku na do o to ka shi ta ri hoka no bus shitsu to han nō shi ta ri su ru bus shitsu

Word origin

酸 (san, "acid") uses the on'yomi reading san and comes from the Chinese word suān, which denotes sourness as well as an acid substance.

Usage tips

  • English speakers meet acid in terms such as acid rain and stomach acid, so the word connects chemical substances with familiar everyday topics.

Opposites

  • 塩基enkibasenoun

Related words

Word lists with this word