電子

• Reading: でんし
• Romaji: denshi
• Kanji breakdown: 電 (den) — electricity, lightning; 子 (shi) — child, small thing, particle
• Pronunciation: /deɴ.ɕi/

Meaning

Electron; electronic. Refers to the subatomic particle or to electronic technology.

A noun used in both scientific and everyday contexts. In science, 電子 refers to the subatomic particle (electron). In daily life, it functions as a prefix meaning electronic, appearing in many common compounds: 電子メール (email), 電子マネー (electronic money), 電子レンジ (microwave oven), and 電子書籍 (ebook). Its everyday usage as electronic is far more common than the scientific meaning.

Examples

1. 最近は電子マネーで支払う人が増えている。 More and more people are paying with electronic money these days.
2. 電子書籍は持ち運びに便利だ。 E-books are convenient to carry around.
3. 電子レンジで弁当を温めた。 I heated up my lunch in the microwave.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, science, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 電 (electricity, lightning) and 子 (child, small thing, particle). Together they literally mean electricity particle, referring to the electron.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal