Translation and Meaning of: 膜 - maku

The Japanese word 「膜」 (maku) refers to a membrane, a thin layer of tissue in living organisms that coats or separates different parts. This word is used in both biological and technical contexts. Understanding the term involves knowing its applications in various fields, such as medicine, biology, and even materials technology.

Etymologically, the word 「膜」 is composed of the radical 「月」, which in this reading refers to flesh or parts of the body, and the radical 「莫」, which does not have a tangible meaning here but contributes to the phonetic aspect of the kanji. The radical 「月」 is commonly associated with things related to the body, which makes sense considering the term's use in biology to refer to structures such as cell membranes.

In biology, membranes play crucial roles. They protect cells, control the flow of substances, and allow communication between them. Beyond biological contexts, 「膜」 is also used in technology, referring to materials that can function as barriers, such as in advanced filters and membrane electronics. Thus, the term holds relevance in various fields of human knowledge, highlighting its breadth.

Interestingly, the word「膜」is connected to the cultural perception of nature as something to be respected and studied. In Japan, the interconnection between life, health, and technology is emphasized through terms like this. Thus, understanding「膜」is not just about recognizing a thin film, but appreciating the complexity and function of these membranes in everyday life and scientific advancement.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

薄膜 (Hakumaku) - Thin film, usually used in coating processes.
フィルム (Firumu) - Film often refers to a material in sheet format or photographic films.
メンブレン (Menburen) - Membrane, commonly used in technical contexts, such as the separation of substances.
膜状 (Makujou) - In the form of a film or membrane, it describes the characteristic of something being thin and layered.
膜質 (Makushitsu) - Quality or structure of a membrane, focusing on material characteristics.
膜状の (Makujou no) - In the form of a membrane, an adjectival term that describes something that has this shape.
膜状の物質 (Makujou no busshitsu) - Substance in membrane form, specifically describing a material with that structure.