有機化合物

• Reading: ゆうきかごうぶつ
• Romaji: yuukikagoubutsu
• Kanji breakdown: 有 (yuu) — have, exist; 機 (ki) — mechanism, organic; 化 (ka) — change; 合 (gou) — combine; 物 (butsu) — thing, substance
• Pronunciation: /jɯː.ki.ka.ɡoː.bɯ.tsɯ/

Meaning

Organic compound. A chemical compound containing carbon, typically found in living organisms.

A noun used in chemistry and science to describe carbon-based chemical compounds. Composed of 有機 (yuuki, organic) + 化合物 (kagoubutsu, compound). Distinguished from 無機化合物 (muki kagoubutsu, inorganic compound). This is a technical but important N2-level word that appears in science education, environmental discussions, and health topics. Related terms include 有機農業 (yuuki nougyou, organic farming) and 有機溶剤 (yuuki youzai, organic solvent).

Examples

1. 有機化合物は炭素を含む化合物の総称だ。 Organic compounds are a general term for compounds that contain carbon.
2. 授業で有機化合物と無機化合物の違いを学んだ。 In class, I learned the difference between organic and inorganic compounds.
3. 生物の体は多くの有機化合物でできている。 The human body is made up of many organic compounds.

Usage Guide

Context: chemistry, science education, environment

Tone: academic

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 有機 (yuuki; 有 yuu, have + 機 ki, mechanism/organic) + 化合物 (kagoubutsu; 化 ka, change + 合 gou, combine + 物 butsu, thing). Literally 'substance that combines organically' — originally named because these compounds were thought to come only from living organisms.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Students

Social background: Educated