導体

• Reading: どうたい
• Romaji: dōtai
• Kanji breakdown: 導 (dō/michibi-) — guide, conduct, lead; 体 (tai/karada) — body, substance
• Pronunciation: /doː.ta.i/

Meaning

Conductor; a material that allows the flow of electric current with little resistance. Commonly refers to metals such as copper, silver, and aluminium.

A noun contrasted with 絶縁体 (insulator) and 半導体 (semiconductor). Good conductors have many free electrons that move easily under an electric field. In thermodynamics, 熱伝導体 (thermal conductor) describes materials that conduct heat well. The term appears in fundamental physics education and in electrical engineering contexts.

Examples

1. 金属は自由電子が豊富なため電気の良い導体として機能する。 Metals function as good electrical conductors because they are rich in free electrons.
2. 導体と絶縁体の本質的な違いは電子の移動しやすさ、すなわちバンド構造にある。 The fundamental difference between conductors and insulators lies in how easily electrons can move, that is, their band structure.
3. 銅は優れた導体であるため、電気配線や変圧器の巻き線に広く使われている。 Copper is an excellent conductor and is therefore widely used in electrical wiring and transformer coils.

Usage Guide

Context: physics, electrical engineering, electronics, education

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 導 (dō — to guide, lead, conduct) and 体 (tai — body, substance). A conductor is literally 'a substance that leads [electricity]'.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Students and professionals

Social background: Technical