温室効果

• Reading: おんしつこうか
• Romaji: onshitsukouka
• Kanji breakdown: 温 (on) — warm; 室 (shitsu) — room; 効 (kou) — effect; 果 (ka) — result
• Pronunciation: /oɴ.ɕi.t͡sɯ.koː.ka/

Meaning

Greenhouse effect. The warming of the Earth's atmosphere caused by gases that trap heat.

A noun frequently encountered in environmental science and news discussions about climate change. Often used in the compound 温室効果ガス (onshitsu kouka gasu, greenhouse gases). While the term itself is neutral and scientific, it almost always appears in the context of global warming and environmental policy. Can also function as an adjective with の (温室効果の).

Examples

1. 温室効果ガスの排出を減らすことが急務だ。 Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an urgent priority.
2. 温室効果について授業で詳しく学んだ。 We learned in detail about the greenhouse effect in class.
3. 二酸化炭素は温室効果を引き起こす主な原因である。 Carbon dioxide is the main cause of the greenhouse effect.

Usage Guide

Context: environmental science, news, education

Tone: academic

Origin & History

Compound of 温室 (onshitsu, greenhouse) + 効果 (kouka, effect). Calque from the English 'greenhouse effect,' adopted into Japanese scientific vocabulary.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated