Translation and Meaning of: 合成 - gousei

The Japanese word 合成 (ごうせい, gōsei) is a fascinating term that appears in various contexts, from everyday life to technical areas. If you are looking to understand its meaning, origin, or how to use it in sentences, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will explore everything about this word, including its writing in kanji, translation, and even cultural curiosities. Whether you are a Japanese language learner or just a curious individual, you will find valuable information here.

In the Suki Nihongo dictionary, 合成 is defined as "combination" or "synthesis," but its usage goes beyond that. It can appear in situations as varied as chemistry, music, and even in cooking. Let's uncover its secrets and show how it fits into the Japanese language and culture in a practical and interesting way.

Meaning and usage of 合成

The term 合成 is composed of the kanjis 合 (gō), which means "to join" or "to combine," and 成 (sei), which carries the idea of "to become" or "to form." Together, they convey the sense of something created from the union of distinct elements. This word is often used in scientific contexts, such as in 合成化学 (gōsei kagaku, synthetic chemistry), but it also appears in everyday life, such as in 合成音声 (gōsei onsei, synthesized voice).

A practical example is the use in food products. In Japan, it is common to see labels with 合成着色料 (gōsei chakushokuryō, artificial coloring) or 合成保存料 (gōsei hozonryō, synthetic preservative). This type of application shows how the term is present both in the industry and in the daily lives of the Japanese, reinforcing its utility and versatility.

Origin and writing of 合成

The formation of 合成 follows the common logic of many Japanese terms created during the modernization period of the country, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At that time, Japan adopted many Western concepts and needed to adapt or create words to express them. 合成 emerged as a way to translate ideas such as "synthesis" or "artificial combination," especially in fields like chemistry and engineering.

Regarding writing, the kanjis 合 and 成 are relatively simple to memorize. 合 appears in other words such as 合格 (gōkaku, approval) and 合同 (gōdō, union), while 成 is seen in terms like 成長 (seichō, growth) and 成功 (seikō, success). This familiarity with other vocabulary can help students remember the term more easily.

Trivia and memorization tips

An effective way to remember 合成 is to associate it with concrete situations. For example, think of a medication or industrial product – many of them contain synthetic substances, that is, 合成物 (gōseibutsu). Another tip is to observe how the word appears in animes or dramas that cover scientific themes, like "Fullmetal Alchemist," where alchemy often deals with concepts of combination and transformation.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that 合成 is not used only in technical contexts. In music, for example, 合成音 (gōsei on) refers to sounds generated electronically, such as those from synthesizers. This variety of applications shows how the term is rooted in different aspects of Japanese life, making it even more interesting for those studying the language.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 合成 (Gōsei) - Synthesis; combination of components to form a whole.
• 合成する (Gōsei suru) - Perform the synthesis; the act of combining to create a new compound.
• 合成物 (Gōseibutsu) - Synthetic product; a material that is the result of a synthesis process.
• 合成樹脂 (Gōsei jushitsu) - Synthetic plastic; resin created through synthesis processes.
• 合成繊維 (Gōsei sen'i) - Synthetic fiber; fiber made from chemical processes.
• 合成語 (Gōsei go) - Compound word; an expression formed by the combination of other words or morphemes.
• 合成酵素 (Gōsei kōso) - Synthetic enzyme; an enzyme artificially created that mimics the function of natural enzymes.
• 合成洗剤 (Gōsei senzai) - Synthetic detergent; a cleaning product created through chemical synthesis.
• 合成染料 (Gōsei senryō) - Synthetic dye; dye made by chemical methods, in contrast to natural dyes.
• 合成栄養素 (Gōsei eiyōso) - Synthetic nutrient; a chemical compound that imitates or replaces natural nutrients.
• 合成肥料 (Gōsei hiryo) - Synthetic fertilizer; a product used to fertilize the soil, created through chemical processes.
• 合成香料 (Gōsei kōryō) - Synthetic essence; fragrance created artificially in a laboratory.
• 合成樹脂製品 (Gōsei jushitsu seihin) - Synthetic resin products; goods manufactured from synthetic plastics.
• 合成石油 (Gōsei sekitai) - Synthetic oil; hydrocarbons produced artificially.
• 合成燃料 (Gōsei nenryō) - Synthetic fuel; fuel generated from chemical or biological processes.
• 合成ゴム (Gōsei gomu) - Synthetic rubber; an elastic material created from chemical compounds.
• 合成樹脂原料 (Gōsei jushitsu genryō) - Raw material for synthetic plastics; chemical inputs used in the production of resins.
• 合成樹脂加工 (Gōsei jushitsu kako) - Processing of synthetic plastics; techniques used to shape or transform synthetic resins.
• 合成樹脂成形 (Gōsei jushitsu seikei) - Formation of synthetic plastics; resin molding methods to create final products.
• 合成樹脂製造 (Gōsei jushitsu seizō) - Production of synthetic plastics; the manufacturing process of these resins.

合成

Romaji: gousei
Kana: ごうせい
Type: Noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: synthesis; composition; synthetic; composite; mixed; Combined; compound

Meaning in English: synthesis;composition;synthetic;composite;mixed;combined;compound

Definition: Create a new substance or thing by combining various elements or substances.

Example Sentences - (合成) gousei

See below some example sentences:

合成は化学反応の一つです。

Gōsei wa kagaku hannō no hitotsu desu

Synthesis is one of the chemical reactions.

• 合成 - means "synthesis" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 化学反応 - means "chemical reaction" in Japanese.
• の - is a grammatical particle that indicates the relationship of possession or belonging.
• 一つ - means "one" in Japanese.
• です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.