Translation and Meaning of: 鉄 - tetsu

The Japanese word 鉄[てつ] is a fundamental term for anyone learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. It represents an essential element in the daily life and history of the country, and it appears in various contexts, from constructions to idiomatic expressions. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in the Japanese language, including tips for memorization and proven curiosities.

If you've ever wondered what 鉄 means or how to use it correctly in sentences, this guide will help. Additionally, we'll see how this word is present in various cultural and social aspects of Japan, making your learning richer and more contextualized. Let's get started!

Meaning and origin of 鉄[てつ]

The word 鉄[てつ] means "iron" in Japanese, referring to both the metal and objects made from this material. Its origin dates back to the kanji 鉄, which combines the metal radical (金) with the component 失, suggesting a historical relationship with strength and durability. This kanji is widely used in words related to metal structures, such as trains (鉄道) and steel industries.

Iron holds great importance in Japan, both in the manufacturing of ancient weapons and in modern construction. Therefore, 鉄 is not just a common word, but also carries significant cultural weight. Its presence in expressions and place names reinforces its relevance in Japanese society.

Everyday use and practical examples

In daily life, 鉄[てつ] appears in various situations. One of the most common is in 鉄道[てつどう], which means "railway" or "train line." Another example is 鉄筋[てっきん], used to refer to reinforced concrete structures. These combinations show how the term is connected to construction and infrastructure.

Additionally, 鉄 can be found in expressions like 鉄の意志[てつのいし], which means "iron will" and describes someone extremely determined. This metaphor reinforces the idea of resilience and firmness associated with the metal, demonstrating how the Japanese language uses concrete elements to convey abstract concepts.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize 鉄[てつ] is to associate it with the metal radical (金), found in other kanjis related to materials, such as 銀[ぎん] (silver) and 銅[どう] (copper). This visual connection helps to fix the meaning and writing of the character. Another tip is to practice with compound words, like 鉄板[てっぱん] (iron plate), to expand your vocabulary.

Interestingly, iron played a crucial role in Japanese history, especially during the feudal period when swords and armor were made from this material. Even today, cities like Sakai in Osaka are famous for producing high-quality knives using traditional techniques. These facts show how 鉄 goes beyond a simple word, reflecting a part of Japan's cultural identity.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 鋼 (hagane) - Steel, a high-strength metal.
• 鋼鉄 (kōtetsu) - Steel, a metal combined of iron and carbon.
• 鉄鋼 (tekkō) - The iron and steel industry.
• 鉄分 (tetsubun) - Iron content, elemental iron.
• 鉄質 (tetsushitsu) - Iron quality, iron composition.
• 鉄道 (tetsudō) - Railway, railway system.
• 鉄筋 (tekkin) - Iron beam, reinforcing bar.
• 鉄砲 (teppō) - Firearm, gun.
• 鉄器 (tekki) - Iron utensils, iron tools.
• 鉄片 (teppeki) - Piece of iron, fragment of iron.
• 鉄分子 (tetsubunshi) - Iron molecule.
• 鉄分含有 (tetsubun ganyū) - Iron content present.
• 鉄分量 (tetsubunryō) - Amount of iron, iron level.
• 鉄分析 (tetsubunseki) - Iron analysis, study of iron.
• 鉄分補充 (tetsubun hojū) - Iron replenishment, iron supplement.
• 鉄分不足 (tetsubun fusoku) - Iron deficiency.
• 鉄分補給 (tetsubun hokyū) - Iron supplementation, replenishment of iron in the body.
• 鉄分製剤 (tetsubun seizai) - Iron medication, iron supplements.
• 鉄分補助 (tetsubun hojo) - Iron intake assistance, auxiliary supplement.
• 鉄分補強 (tetsubun hokyō) - Iron strengthening, iron reinforcement.
• 鉄分補充食品 (tetsubun hojū shokuhin) - Iron-rich complementary foods.
• 鉄分補充剤 (tetsubun hojū zai) - Iron supplements in the form of medication.
• 鉄分補助食品 (tetsubun hojo shokuhin) - Functional foods with iron.
• 鉄分補充ドリンク (tetsubun hojū dorinku) - Iron-fortified drinks.
• 鉄分補給食 (tetsubun hokyū shoku) - Proper nutrition for iron replenishment.

鉄

Romaji: tetsu
Kana: てつ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Iron

Meaning in English: iron

Definition: A metallic element with atomic number 26 and element symbol Fe.

Example Sentences - (鉄) tetsu

See below some example sentences:

鉄棒で運動するのは楽しいです。

Tetsubou de undou suru no wa tanoshii desu

It's fun to do exercises with the iron bar.

It's fun to work out with a horizontal bar.

• 鉄棒 (てつぼう) - iron bar
• で - particle that indicates the means or instrument used
• 運動する (うんどうする) - exercise
• のは - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 楽しい (たのしい) - Fun, pleasurable
• です - verb to be in the polite form

鉄砲を持っている人は危険です。

Tepou wo motte iru hito wa kiken desu

The person who has a firearm is dangerous.

Those who have weapons are dangerous.

• 鉄砲 - Firearm
• を - direct object particle
• 持っている - verb "to have" conjugated in the present continuous
• 人 - person
• は - Topic particle
• 危険 - dangerous
• です - verb "to be" conjugated in the formal present

鉄は強い金属です。

Tetsu wa tsuyoi kinzoku desu

Iron is a strong metal.

• 鉄 (tetsu) - Iron
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 強い (tsuyoi) - strong
• 金属 (kinzoku) - metal
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

鉄片はとても鋭いです。

Teppeki wa totemo surudoi desu

Iron fragments are very sharp.

The iron part is very sharp.

• 鉄片 (tetsuhen) - piece of iron
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - very
• 鋭い (surudoi) - sharp
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

錆びた鉄は弱くなる。

Sabita tetsu wa yowaku naru

The rusty iron is weak.

The rusty iron becomes weak.

• 錆びた - oxidized, rusty
• 鉄 - iron, metal
• は - Topic particle
• 弱く - weak, weaken
• なる - become

鉄橋を渡ると風が心地よいです。

Tetsubashi wo wataru to kaze ga kokochi yoi desu

Crossing an iron bridge is pleasant with the wind.

The wind is comfortable when you cross the iron bridge.

• 鉄橋 - iron bridge
• を - object particle
• 渡る - pass through
• と - connecting particle
• 風 - wind
• が - subject particle
• 心地よい - pleasant, comfortable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

鉄道は日本の交通手段の一つです。

Tetsudou wa Nihon no koutsu shudan no hitotsu desu

The railways are one of the means of transportation in Japan.

The railway is one of Japan's means of transport.

• 鉄道 - Means "railway" in Japanese.
• は - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "railroad".
• 日本 - Means "Japan" in Japanese.
• の - is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or belonging, in this case, "of Japan".
• 交通手段 - means "means of transport" in Japanese.
• の - again, it indicates possession or belonging, in this case, "of means of transport".
• 一つ - means "one" in Japanese, in this case, "one of the means of transport".
• です - It is a polite way to say "is" in Japanese.

鉄鋼は現代社会において重要な産業です。

Tetsukou wa gendai shakai ni oite juuyou na sangyou desu

The steel industry is important in modern society.

Steel is an important industry in modern society.

• 鉄鋼 - steel
• は - Topic particle
• 現代社会 - Modern society
• において - in
• 重要な - important
• 産業 - industry
• です - Verb ser/estar (polite form)

製鉄は日本の重要な産業の一つです。

Seitetsu wa Nihon no juuyou na sangyou no hitotsu desu

Steel production is one of Japan's important industries.

Siderúrgica is one of the important industries in Japan.

• 製鉄 (せいてつ) - siderurgia
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 (にほん) - Japan
• の - Possession particle
• 重要な (じゅうような) - important
• 産業 (さんぎょう) - industry
• の - Possession particle
• 一つ (ひとつ) - I'm sorry, but I need the text you would like me to translate. Please provide the content for translation.
• です - Verb "to be"

地下鉄に乗って都市を探索しよう。

Jikatetsu ni notte toshi o tansaku shiyou

Take the subway to explore the city.

• 地下鉄 (chikatetsu) - subway
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• 乗って (notte) - boarding, enter
• 都市 (toshi) - city
• を (wo) - particle that indicates direct object
• 探索 (tansaku) - exploration, search
• しよう (shiyou) - imperative form of the verb "suru" (to do), indicating suggestion or invitation