触媒

• Reading: しょくばい
• Romaji: shokubai
• Kanji breakdown: 触 (shoku) — touch, contact | 媒 (bai) — intermediary, medium
• Pronunciation: /ɕo.kɯ.ba.i/

Meaning

Catalyst; a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Fundamental to industrial chemistry, biochemistry, and materials science. Enzymes are biological catalysts (生体触媒). Common collocations include 触媒反応 (catalytic reaction) and 触媒活性 (catalytic activity). Metaphorically used in Japanese to describe a person or event that triggers change in a group or situation (変化の触媒となる).

Examples

1. 白金は自動車の排気ガス浄化において重要な触媒として使用されている。 Platinum is used as an important catalyst in the purification of automobile exhaust gases.
2. この化学反応では触媒を加えることで反応速度が数十倍に加速された。 In this chemical reaction, adding a catalyst accelerated the reaction rate by tens of times.
3. 酵素は生体内で触媒として働き、代謝反応を効率よく進める役割を担う。 Enzymes act as catalysts within the body, playing a role in efficiently driving metabolic reactions.

Usage Guide

Context: chemistry, biochemistry, industry, metaphor

Tone: technical

Origin & History

Compound of 触 (shoku) meaning 'touch, contact' and 媒 (bai) meaning 'intermediary, medium'. The metaphor is of a mediating substance that facilitates contact between reactants.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Students and researchers

Social background: Academic and industrial