断面

• Reading: だんめん
• Romaji: danmen
• Kanji breakdown: 断 (dan) — cut, sever; 面 (men) — surface, face
• Pronunciation: /daɴ.meɴ/

Meaning

Cross section; a surface exposed by cutting through an object.

Used both literally (the surface revealed when something is cut) and figuratively (a revealing aspect or slice of something). Common in science, engineering, cooking, and figurative writing. In media, 断面 can describe an exposé or revealing look at an issue (社会の断面, a cross-section of society).

Examples

1. ケーキの断面がとても美しかった。 The cross section of the cake was really beautiful.
2. 地層の断面を観察して地球の歴史を学んだ。 We studied Earth's history by observing cross-sections of geological strata.
3. この報道は現代社会の断面を映し出している。 This news coverage offers a cross-section of modern society.

Usage Guide

Context: science, engineering, cooking, journalism

Tone: descriptive

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 断 (dan, to cut) + 面 (men, surface/face). Literally 'cut surface,' describing the plane exposed when an object is sliced through.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal