発泡スチロール

• Reading: はっぽうスチロール
• Romaji: happou suchirooru
• Kanji breakdown: 発 (hatsu) — emit, produce; 泡 (hou) — foam, bubble; スチロール — styrene (from German)
• Pronunciation: /hap.poː.sɯ.tɕi.ɾoː.ɾɯ/

Meaning

Styrofoam; expanded polystyrene foam used for packaging and insulation.

A noun combining 発泡 (foaming/expansion) with スチロール (styrene, from German 'Styrol'). This is the standard Japanese term for what English speakers call styrofoam or polystyrene foam. Commonly encountered in packaging, recycling, and environmental discussions. Often shortened to 発泡 in casual speech.

Examples

1. 発泡スチロールは軽くて保温性に優れている。 Styrofoam is lightweight and has excellent insulating properties.
2. この商品は発泡スチロールで丁寧に梱包されていた。 This product was carefully packaged in styrofoam.
3. 発泡スチロールのゴミは自治体によって分別方法が異なる。 The method for sorting styrofoam waste varies by municipality.

Usage Guide

Context: packaging, recycling, environment, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A hybrid compound: 発泡 from Sino-Japanese 発 (hatsu, to emit) + 泡 (hou, foam/bubble), meaning 'foaming,' combined with スチロール from German 'Styrol' (styrene). Literally 'foamed styrene.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal