鉛

• Reading: なまり
• Romaji: namari
• Kanji breakdown: 鉛 (namari/en) — lead (the metal)
• Pronunciation: /na.ma.ɾi/

Meaning

Lead (Pb); the heavy, soft metallic element used in batteries, pipes, and historically in paint.

A noun referring to the chemical element lead (atomic number 82). Appears in science, environmental, and health contexts. Common collocations include 鉛中毒 (lead poisoning), 鉛筆 (pencil, literally 'lead brush' though modern pencils use graphite), and 鉛フリー (lead-free). Environmental regulations around 鉛 are frequently discussed in news.

Examples

1. 古い水道管には鉛が使われていることがある。 Old water pipes sometimes contain lead.
2. 鉛は人体に有害な重金属の一つだ。 Lead is one of the heavy metals harmful to the human body.
3. この塗料は鉛を含まない安全な製品です。 This paint is a safe product that contains no lead.

Usage Guide

Context: science, environment, health, materials

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

An ancient Japanese word. The kanji 鉛 combines the metal radical 金 with a phonetic element. Lead has been known in Japan since antiquity, used in white face powder (鉛白) during the Heian period.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal