鋼
hagane
The Japanese word for steel is 鋼 (hagane).
鋼 is the noun used to refer to the metal produced from iron. You may also encounter the term 鋼材 (kōzai), which is used when emphasizing the material or the raw form of the steel. Metaphorically, the phrase 鋼のような (hagane no yō na) is used to describe something exceptionally strong, such as a person's nerves or their will.
Meaning: metal produced from iron (noun)
Which one should you use?
In industrial contexts, you will often see the compound word 鉄鋼 (tekkō), which is used collectively to mean 'steel' or 'iron and steel'.
How do you pronounce it?
hagane
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, 鋼 (hagane) is not just a material but a symbol of spiritual tempering, often used to describe a heart that has been hardened through suffering.
- When discussing the traditional craft of the Japanese sword, 鋼 (hagane) refers specifically to the high-carbon steel used for the sharp edge, as opposed to the softer iron core.
- The word 鋼 (hagane) is historically a compound of 刃 (ha), meaning 'blade', and 金 (kane), meaning 'metal'.
Examples in context
- 今年の鉄鋼生産は１億トンに達するものと見積もられている。Steel production is estimated to reach 100 million tons this year.This sentence is useful for discussing the scale of steel production.Tatoeba #171372 by KK_kaku_, translation #243103 by CK
- その町は鉄鋼業の中心地である。That town is the center of the steel industry.This sentence is useful for identifying a center of the steel industry.Tatoeba #4252783 by orcrist, translation #4253014 by orcrist
- 彼は鋼のような意志を持っている。He has a will of steel.This sentence shows how to use the term metaphorically to describe a strong will.Tatoeba #4252780 by orcrist, translation #4253029 by orcrist
- 日本の自動車産業は高品質な 鋼 を使用しています。The Japanese automotive industry uses high-quality steel.
- 彼はスポーツカーのフレームに スチール を使っています。He used steel for the frame of the sports car.
- 建築業界では高品質の 鋼材 が重宝されています。High-quality steel materials are highly valued in the construction industry.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are looking at a model of a bridge.
- 蓮 Renこの橋の骨組みは鋼でできています。Kono hashi no honegumi wa hagane de dekite imasu.The framework of this bridge is made of steel.
- 結衣 Yui鋼を使うと、とても丈夫になりますね。Hagane o tsukau to, totemo joubu ni narimasu ne.It becomes very strong when you use steel, doesn't it?
- 蓮 Renはい、鋼は非常に高い強度を持っています。Hai, hagane wa hijyou ni takai kyoudo o motte imasu.Yes, steel has very high strength.
- 結衣 Yuiなるほど、だから多くの建物に使われるのですね。Naruhodo, dakara ooku no tatemono ni tsukawareru no desu ne.I see, that's why it's used in many buildings.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 鋼, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
