沸点

• Reading: ふってん
• Romaji: futten
• Kanji breakdown: 沸 (futsu) — boil; 点 (ten) — point
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯt.teɴ/

Meaning

Boiling point; the temperature at which a liquid turns to vapour.

A scientific noun primarily used in chemistry and physics. Water's boiling point is 100°C at standard atmospheric pressure. Also used figuratively to describe the point at which someone's anger or a situation reaches a critical threshold, similar to English 'reaching boiling point.' The antonym is 融点 or 凝固点 (melting/freezing point).

Examples

1. 水の沸点は標準気圧で百度です。 The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure.
2. 高地では気圧が低いため沸点が下がる。 At high altitudes, the boiling point drops because the atmospheric pressure is lower.
3. 住民の怒りはもう沸点に達している。 The residents' anger has already reached the boiling point.

Usage Guide

Context: science, chemistry, figurative speech

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 沸 (futsu, to boil) + 点 (ten, point). Literally 'boiling point,' directly naming the temperature threshold at which boiling occurs.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal