Meaning and Usage
"金属" (きんぞく) means "metal" and refers to metallic elements or materials commonly used in daily life, industry, and technology. It is a noun used in both scientific and everyday contexts.
Common Contexts
You will often see "金属" when talking about materials, manufacturing, allergies, or recycling. For example, "金属アレルギー" means "metal allergy," a common phrase when discussing health.
Collocations and Patterns
- 金属でできている: "made of metal" — used to describe the material composition of objects.
- 金属アレルギー: "metal allergy" — a health-related term.
- 金属のリサイクル: "metal recycling" — environmental or industrial context.
Register and Nuance
"金属" is a neutral, standard word suitable for formal and informal situations. It is commonly used in scientific, technical, and everyday conversations.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse "金属" with "金" (gold) or "鉄" (iron). "金属" is a broader term encompassing various metals. When talking about specific metals, use their names (e.g., 鉄 for iron, 銅 for copper).