エントロピー
entoropī[ẽ̞nto̞ɾo̞pʲiː]
The Japanese word for entropy is エントロピー (entoropī).
エントロピー is used to describe the tendency of a system to descend into chaos. In a scientific context, you may also encounter the phrase エントロピー増大の法則 (entoropī zōdai no hōsoku), which is the standard term for the law of increasing entropy or the second law of thermodynamics.
Meaning: tendency of a system to descend into chaos (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
entoropī
Did you know?
- The phrase エントロピー増大の法則 is often used metaphorically in Japanese business or social critiques to describe an organization that has become inefficient over time.
- In Japanese pop culture and anime, エントロピー is frequently used as a plot device or a 'pseudo-scientific' explanation for the inevitable collapse of a futuristic civilization.
- Because エントロピー is a loanword from English, it is written using the katakana script rather than kanji used for native Japanese concepts.
Examples in context
- エントロピーの増加は、閉じた系内での不可逆的な過程の指標です。The increase in entropy is an indicator of irreversible processes within a closed system.
- 最近の部屋はカオス度が上がっているな。The room has become more chaotic recently.
- 宇宙のエントロピーは増大している。Uchū no entoropī wa zōdai shite iru.The entropy of the universe is increasing.
- エントロピーが増えると、秩序が失われる。Entoropī ga fueru to, chitsujo ga ushinawareru.When entropy increases, order is lost.
- この系におけるエントロピーを計算する。Kono kei ni okeru entoropī o keisan suru.I will calculate the entropy in this system.
Example conversation
Two university students are discussing a physics lecture in a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui今日の講義、エントロピーの話が難しかったね。Kyō no kōgi, entoropī no hanashi ga muzukashikatta ne.Today's lecture, the talk about entropy was difficult, wasn't it?
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。熱力学の概念は複雑だよ。Sō da ne. Netsurikigaku no gainen wa fukuzatsu da yo.That's true. The concepts of thermodynamics are complex.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くんは、理解できた？Hiroto-kun wa, rikai dekita?Hiroto, did you understand it?
- 大翔 Hirotoまだ少し混乱しているよ。Mada sukoshi konran shite iru yo.I am still a little confused.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry エントロピー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
