吸収
kyūshū[kʲɨːɕɨː]
The English phrase absorption is translated into Japanese as 吸収 (kyūshū). Wiktionary also lists 吸い込み (suikomi).
Meaning: act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 吸収 | kyūshū | [kʲɨːɕɨː] (narrow) |
| 吸い込み | suikomi | [sɨiko̞mʲi] (narrow) |
The term refers to the act or process of absorbing or sucking in anything. In technical, scientific or business settings, you might also encounter the term 取り込み to describe a process of absorption, while the term 呑み込み is used conversationally to describe the process of absorbing ideas or information.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 吸収 is composed of the kanji 吸, meaning to suck or inhale and 収, meaning to receive or collect.
Which one should you use?
吸収 refers to an abstract or scientific process of absorption. In contrast, 吸い込み refers more specifically to the physical act of sucking something in, such as a vacuum cleaner sucking up dust.
How do you pronounce it?
kyūshū
Did you know?
- The kanji 吸 in 吸収 is also the core of the word 吸血鬼 (kyūketsuki), which translates literally to 'blood-sucking demon'.
- In the context of skincare, Japanese products often use 浸透 (shintō), meaning 'permeation', instead of 吸収 to describe how a cream is absorbed into the skin.
- In Japanese business contexts, the term 吸収合併 (kyūshū gappei) describes a merger where one company is completely absorbed by another.
Examples in context
- 植物の栄養の吸収が早いです。shokubutsu no eiyou no kyuushuu ga hayai desu.The absorption of nutrients by the plants is fast.
- この布は水分の吸収に優れています。kono nuno wa suibun no kyuushuu ni sugurete imasu.This cloth is excellent at the absorption of moisture.
- 新しい情報を吸収するのは難しいです。atarashii jouhou o kyuushuu suru no wa muzukashii desu.Absorbing new information is difficult.
Example conversation
Yui and Daishō are talking about a new skincare product.
- 結衣 Yuiこの美容液は肌への吸収がいいね。Kono biyōeki wa hada e no kyūshū ga ii ne.This serum is absorbed well into the skin, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ、すぐに馴染むな。Hontō da, sugu ni najimu na.You're right, it blends in quickly.
- 結衣 Yui吸収が早いから、ベタつかないよ。Kyūshū ga hayai kara, betatsukanai yo.Because the absorption is fast, it doesn't feel sticky.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれは嬉しい機能だね。Sore wa ureshii kinō da ne.That's a great feature.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “absorption” translations and entries 吸収, 吸い込み, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
