触媒
shokubai
The English word catalyst is translated into Japanese as 触媒 (shokubai).
In Japanese, several words can represent a catalyst depending on the context. 触媒 is commonly used in academic and scientific contexts to represent a substance that accelerates or modifies a chemical reaction. The term 促進剤 is also used in scientific and technical fields to emphasize a substance that stimulates or enhances a process or reaction. きっかけ can refer to any factor or event that triggers or initiates a change or process.
Meaning: something that encourages progress or change (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 触媒 is composed of 触 (touch/contact) and 媒 (medium/agent), literally meaning an agent that acts through contact.
Which one should you use?
While 触媒 is the standard term for a chemical catalyst, 促進剤 is used in technical settings when the focus is on the stimulation or enhancement of a process. For general or metaphorical uses involving a trigger or an event, use きっかけ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of serving as a catalyst, use the verb form 触媒となる.
How do you pronounce it?
shokubai
Did you know?
- The character 媒 in 触媒 is the same one used in 媒介 'intermediary' and is historically linked to the role of a matchmaker in traditional marriage arrangements.
- The word きっかけ derives from the word for 'the point where a string is tied', visualizing a catalyst as the first knot in a longer sequence of events.
- In Japanese business contexts, someone who acts as a catalyst for team cooperation is often called a 潤滑油 'lubricant' rather than a 触媒.
Examples in context
- 私のアイデアがプロジェクトの 触媒 となりました。My idea served as the catalyst for the project.
- 彼女はその経験が人生の きっかけ だったと言っています。She says that experience was the catalyst for her life.
- この失敗は、成長の触媒となるはずだ。Kono shippai wa, seichou no shokubai to naru hazu da.This failure should be a catalyst for growth.
- 新しい技術は、経済発展の触媒だ。Atarashii gijutsu wa, keizai hatten no shokubai da.New technology is a catalyst for economic development.
- 彼は、チームの変革における触媒だった。Kare wa, chiimu no henkaku ni okeru shokubai datta.He was a catalyst for the team's transformation.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are discussing a recent change in their office culture.
- 蓮 Renあのプロジェクトは、変化の触媒になったね。Ano purojekuto wa, henka no shokubai ni natta ne.That project became a catalyst for change, didn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当に。職場の雰囲気が明るくなったよ。Hontou ni. Shokuba no fun'iki ga akaruku natta yo.Really. The atmosphere in the workplace has brightened up.
- 蓮 Ren美咲さんの意見も、大きな役割を果たしたよ。Misaki-san no iken mo, ookina yakuwari o hatashita yo.Your opinion also played a big role, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misakiそう言ってもらえると、嬉しいです。Sou itte moraeru to, ureshii desu.I am happy to hear you say that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 触媒, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
