新陳代謝

• Reading: しんちんたいしゃ
• Romaji: shinchintaisha
• Kanji breakdown: 新 (shin) — new; 陳 (chin) — old, stale; 代 (tai) — replace, substitute; 謝 (sha) — decline, shed
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.tɕiɴ.tai.ɕa/

Meaning

Metabolism; renewal; replacement. The process by which cells and tissues are renewed in the body.

A noun and suru-verb with two main uses: (1) the biological process of metabolism — breaking down nutrients and building new cells, and (2) figurative renewal or turnover of people, ideas, or systems. As a four-character compound (四字熟語), it carries a formal, educated tone. Common collocations include 新陳代謝が良い (good metabolism) and 新陳代謝を促す (promote metabolism/renewal).

Examples

1. 運動すると新陳代謝が活発になる。 Exercise boosts metabolism.
2. 年齢を重ねると新陳代謝が落ちてくる。 As you get older, your metabolism slows down.
3. 組織の新陳代謝を促すために若手を積極的に登用した。 Young people were actively promoted to encourage renewal within the organization.

Usage Guide

Context: health, biology, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 新 (shin, new) + 陳 (chin, old/stale) + 代 (tai, replace) + 謝 (sha, decline/shed). Literally 'the new replaces the old' — the cycle of renewal where old matter is shed and replaced.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal