血液

• Reading: けつえき
• Romaji: ketsueki
• Kanji breakdown: 血 (ketsu) — blood; 液 (eki) — liquid, fluid
• Pronunciation: /ke.tsɯ.e.ki/

Meaning

Blood. The red fluid circulating through the body via the cardiovascular system.

A formal or scientific noun for blood, more precise than the everyday word 血 (chi). Frequently used in medical and health contexts. Common compounds include 血液型 (ketsuekigata, blood type) and 血液検査 (ketsueki kensa, blood test). In Japan, blood type is widely believed to influence personality.

Examples

1. 健康診断で血液検査を受けた。 I had a blood test at my health checkup.
2. 日本では血液型で性格を判断する人が多い。 In Japan, many people judge personality by blood type.
3. 運動すると血液の流れがよくなる。 Exercise improves blood circulation.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, health, science

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 血 (blood) and 液 (liquid, fluid). The combination specifies blood as a bodily fluid, distinguishing it from the more general and colloquial 血.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal