素粒子

• Reading: そりゅうし
• Romaji: soryuushi
• Kanji breakdown: 素 (so) — element, fundamental; 粒 (ryuu) — grain, particle; 子 (shi) — child, small thing
• Pronunciation: /so.ɾjɯː.ɕi/

Meaning

Elementary particle; subatomic particle. The most fundamental constituents of matter.

A noun used in physics for particles that cannot be broken down further, such as quarks, electrons, and neutrinos. Central to modern physics and the Standard Model. Common collocations include 素粒子物理学 (soryuushi butsurigaku, particle physics), 素粒子加速器 (soryuushi kasokuki, particle accelerator). Japan has made significant contributions to this field, with multiple Nobel Prize winners in particle physics.

Examples

1. 素粒子の研究は宇宙の成り立ちを解明する鍵となる。 Research into elementary particles is key to uncovering the origins of the universe.
2. 日本の物理学者はノーベル賞を素粒子の分野で受賞している。 Japanese physicists have won Nobel Prizes in the field of particle physics.
3. 素粒子を観測するには巨大な加速器が必要だ。 A massive accelerator is needed to observe elementary particles.

Usage Guide

Context: physics, science, academia

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 素 (so, element/fundamental) + 粒子 (ryuushi, particle/grain). Literally 'fundamental particle' — the smallest, most basic units of matter that cannot be subdivided.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Academic