How to Say "Element" in Japanese

元素

genso[ɡẽ̞ɰ̃so̞]

In Japanese, the English word "element" is translated as 元素 (genso).

In the context of chemistry, 元素 refers to the simplest chemical substance.

Meaning: chemistry: simplest chemical substance (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

genso

The word 元素 is a 'loan translation' or calque, meaning Japanese scholars literally translated the Dutch word hoofdstof into Japanese characters to create a new scientific term.
If you are talking about the 'elements' in terms of bad weather, such as 'fighting the elements', Japanese would use entirely different words like 自然 (shizen, 'nature') or 天候 (tenkou, 'weather').
In modern Japanese pop culture, particularly in anime and manga, characters with powers based on 元素 often refer to their abilities as 'elemental' using the loanword エレメンタル instead of 元素.

科学の要素として、化学は欠かせません。
Chemistry is indispensable as an element of science.
詳細を割愛し、要点だけを述べます。
I will omit the details and mention only the key elements.
この曲の要素が好きだよ。
I like the elements of this song.
詳しくは話さずに、要点をつかんで説明してみて。
Try explaining while capturing the key elements without going into too much detail.
この表には多くの元素が載っています。
Kono hyō ni wa ōku no genso ga notte imasu.
Many elements are listed on this table.
酸素は生命に不可欠な元素です。
Sanso wa seimei ni fukaketsu na genso desu.
Oxygen is an essential element for life.

Two students are studying chemistry in the library.

健太 Kenta

この元素の名前は何ですか？
Kono genso no namae wa nan desu ka?
What is the name of this element?
結衣 Yui

それは鉄という元素ですよ。
Sore wa tetsu to iu genso desu yo.
That is an element called iron.
健太 Kenta

結衣さんは化学が得意ですね。
Yui-san wa kagaku ga tokui desu ne.
Yui, you are good at chemistry.
結衣 Yui

いえ、健太さんも頑張っていますよ。
Ie, Kenta-san mo ganbatte imasu yo.
No, Kenta, you are working hard too.

Sources

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