半導体

• Reading: はんどうたい
• Romaji: handōtai
• Kanji breakdown: 半 (han/naka-ba) — half, semi; 導 (dō/michibi-) — conduct, guide; 体 (tai/karada) — body, substance
• Pronunciation: /ha.ɴ.doː.ta.i/

Meaning

Semiconductor; a material whose electrical conductivity lies between that of a conductor and an insulator, and which can be controlled by doping, temperature, or applied fields.

A noun fundamental to modern electronics. Semiconductors such as silicon (シリコン) and germanium (ゲルマニウム) form the basis of transistors, integrated circuits, solar cells, and LEDs. N型 and P型半導体 are created by doping with different impurities. The 半導体産業 (semiconductor industry) is geopolitically and economically critical, and supply chain issues with 半導体 frequently make headlines.

Examples

1. シリコンは現代の電子機器を支える最も重要な半導体材料だ。 Silicon is the most important semiconductor material underpinning modern electronic devices.
2. 半導体不足が自動車産業を直撃し、世界的な生産遅延を引き起こした。 The semiconductor shortage hit the automotive industry hard, causing production delays worldwide.
3. 半導体の電気的特性は不純物の添加量や温度によって精密に制御できる。 The electrical properties of semiconductors can be precisely controlled by the amount of impurities added and the temperature.

Usage Guide

Context: electronics, physics, materials science, economics, news

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 半 (han — half, semi) and 導体 (dōtai — conductor). A Meiji/Showa-era translation of 'semiconductor', describing a material that conducts halfway between a conductor and an insulator.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal