合成

• Reading: ごうせい
• Romaji: gousei
• Kanji breakdown: 合 (gou) — combine, join; 成 (sei) — create, form
• Pronunciation: /goː.seː/

Meaning

Synthesis; composition; combining. The process of creating something by combining elements.

A versatile noun, suru-verb, and no-adjective used across chemistry, materials science, photography, and daily life. As a verb (合成する), it means 'to synthesise' or 'to composite.' Common in compounds like 合成繊維 (gousei seni, synthetic fibre), 合成写真 (gousei shashin, composite/edited photo), and 合成着色料 (gousei chakushokuryou, synthetic colouring). In modern usage, often refers to digitally composited images.

Examples

1. この素材は合成繊維でできている。 This material is made from synthetic fibers.
2. 合成写真かどうかを見分けるのが難しくなっている。 It is becoming harder to tell whether a photo has been composited.
3. 研究チームが新しい薬品の合成に取り組んでいる。 A research team is working on synthesizing a new drug.

Usage Guide

Context: chemistry, materials, photography

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 合 (gou, combine/join) + 成 (sei, create/form). Literally 'combine and create' — the act of producing something new by putting elements together.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal