酸化

• Reading: さんか
• Romaji: sanka
• Kanji breakdown: 酸 (san) — acid, sour, oxygen; 化 (ka) — change, transform
• Pronunciation: /saɴ.ka/

Meaning

Oxidation. The chemical process of a substance combining with oxygen.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (酸化する). A scientific term commonly encountered in daily life: 鉄が酸化する (iron oxidizes and rusts), 酸化防止剤 (antioxidant). Not to be confused with the homophone 参加 (sanka, participation). The opposite is 還元 (kangen, reduction).

Examples

1. 鉄は空気中で酸化して錆びる。 Iron oxidizes and rusts when exposed to air.
2. この化粧品には酸化防止剤が入っている。 This cosmetic product contains antioxidants.
3. リンゴを切ると表面が酸化して茶色くなる。 When you cut an apple, the surface oxidizes and turns brown.

Usage Guide

Context: science, chemistry, food

Tone: technical

Origin & History

Compound of 酸 (san, acid/oxygen) and 化 (ka, change/transform). Together, 'oxygen-transformation' — a chemistry term coined during the Meiji era when Western science was introduced to Japan.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal