酸素
sanso[sã̠ɰ̃so̞]
The English word "oxygen" is translated into Japanese as 酸素 (sanso).
酸素 is a noun used to refer to the chemical element oxygen.
Meaning: chemical element (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is sanso.
Did you know?
- The Japanese word 酸素 is a literal translation of the Dutch word 'zuurstof', which means 'sourstuff'.
- Japanese shares this 'sour' naming convention with German 'Sauerstoff' and Indonesian 'zat asam'.
- Early Japanese science relied heavily on Dutch texts, which is why 酸素 is a calque of Dutch rather than English.
Examples in context
- 月には酸素がない。There's no oxygen on the moon.This sentence shows how to express the absence of oxygen in a specific location.Tatoeba #8634787 by small_snow, translation #3126805 by Hybrid
- 彼は酸素不足で死んだ。He died from lack of oxygen.This sentence describes a cause of death related to oxygen deficiency.Tatoeba #106677 by bunbuku, translation #297009 by CK
- 燃焼には酸素が必要です。Oxygen is needed for combustion.This sentence illustrates the requirement of oxygen for a chemical process.Tatoeba #10006426 by bunbuku, translation #23891 by CK
- 彼は酸素が足りないため苦しそうです。He seems to be in pain because of the lack of oxygen.
- 先生、酸素（さんそ）は常に２つの水素と結合していますか？Teacher, does oxygen always bond with two hydrogen atoms?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are studying chemistry together.
- 大翔 Hiroto水の分子は水素と酸素でできているよ。Mizu no bunshi wa suiso to sanso de dekite iru yo.Water molecules are made of hydrogen and oxygen.
- 陽葵 Himariそうだったね。酸素はとても大切だね。Sou datta ne. Sanso wa totemo taisetsu da ne.That's right. Oxygen is very important.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。人間は酸素がないと生きられない。Sou da ne. Ningen wa sanso ga nai to ikirarenai.True. Humans cannot live without oxygen.
- 陽葵 Himari化学の勉強は面白いね、大翔くん。Kagaku no benkyou wa omoshiroi ne, Yamato-kun.Studying chemistry is interesting, Yamato.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oxygen” translations and entries 酸素, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 酸素, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
