絶縁体

• Reading: ぜつえんたい
• Romaji: zetsuentai
• Kanji breakdown: 絶 (zetsu) — cut off | 縁 (en) — connection, bond | 体 (tai) — body, substance
• Pronunciation: /ze.tsɯ.e.n.ta.i/

Meaning

Insulator; non-conductor. A material that does not readily conduct electric current, heat, or sound.

Contrasts with 導体 (conductor) and 半導体 (semiconductor). Common electrical insulators include rubber, glass, and plastic. Thermal insulators are used in building construction and refrigeration. In quantum mechanics, the insulating state of certain materials relates to band gap theory. 電気絶縁体 specifies electrical insulators.

Examples

1. ゴムやプラスチックは絶縁体であり、電流をほとんど通さない性質を持つ。 Rubber and plastic are insulators and have the property of barely conducting electric current.
2. 電線の周囲を覆う絶縁体の劣化は、漏電事故の主な原因の一つだ。 Deterioration of the insulating material covering electrical wires is one of the main causes of electrical leakage accidents.
3. 完全な絶縁体は現実には存在せず、高電圧をかければどんな物質でも電気が流れる。 A perfect insulator does not exist in reality; if a high enough voltage is applied, electricity will flow through any material.

Usage Guide

Context: physics, electrical engineering, materials science

Tone: technical

Origin & History

Compound of 絶縁 (zetsuen, insulation — from 絶 'cut off' and 縁 'connection') and 体 (tai, body/substance). Literally 'a substance that cuts off connections'.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Students and engineers

Social background: Academic and technical