酸素

• Reading: さんそ
• Romaji: sanso
• Kanji breakdown: 酸 (san) — acid, sour; 素 (so) — element, base
• Pronunciation: /sa.ɴ.so/

Meaning

Oxygen. The chemical element essential for breathing and combustion.

A noun used in science, health, and everyday contexts. Common expressions include 酸素不足 (oxygen deficiency) and 酸素マスク (oxygen mask). In casual speech, sometimes used metaphorically to describe something essential, as in ～は私の酸素だ (~ is my oxygen).

Examples

1. 植物は酸素を作り出す。 Plants produce oxygen.
2. 山の上は酸素が薄くて息が苦しい。 At the top of the mountain, the oxygen is thin and it's hard to breathe.
3. 患者に酸素マスクをつけた。 They put an oxygen mask on the patient.

Usage Guide

Context: science, health, outdoor activities

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 酸 (acid, sour) and 素 (element, base). The name reflects early chemistry when oxygen was believed to be the essential component of all acids.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal