浸透する

• Reading: しんとうする
• Romaji: shintou suru
• Kanji breakdown: 浸 (shin) — soak, immerse; 透 (tou) — penetrate, pass through
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.toː.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To penetrate; to permeate; to soak in. Used for both liquids seeping into materials and ideas spreading through society.

A suru-verb combining 浸 (soak/immerse) and 透 (penetrate/pass through). While literally describing liquid absorption, it is very frequently used figuratively to describe how concepts, values, or awareness gradually spread and take root within a group or society. Common in news and business contexts.

Examples

1. 新しい考え方が社会全体に浸透してきた。 A new way of thinking has been permeating society as a whole.
2. 雨水が地面にゆっくり浸透していく。 Rainwater slowly seeps into the ground.
3. この製品の良さがまだ消費者に浸透していない。 The benefits of this product haven't quite reached consumers yet.

Usage Guide

Context: news, business, science, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 浸透. 浸 (shin) means to soak or immerse, and 透 (tou) means to pass through or be transparent. Together they describe the process of something gradually seeping or spreading through.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal