金属

きんぞく

metal

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Understanding 金属 (jīn shǔ)

金属 refers to metals in general, including elements like iron, copper, and gold. It is a noun used to describe materials that are typically hard, shiny, and conductive. In everyday conversation, 金属 is often used when discussing materials in science, industry, or jewelry.

Common Collocations

  • 金属材料 (metal materials): used in technical and industrial contexts.
  • 金属 (pure metal): emphasizes the material's purity, often in jewelry or chemistry.
  • 金属 (metal products): refers to items made from metal.

Usage Notes

金属 is a formal term and appears frequently in scientific, technical, and commercial contexts. When talking about metals casually, people might use specific metal names instead. Avoid confusing 金属 with (gold), which is a specific metal.

Summary

Use 金属 when referring to metals as a category or material type, especially in formal or technical settings. It helps specify that the subject is related to metallic substances rather than other materials.

Example Sentences

Iron and copper are common metals.

This piece of jewelry is made of pure metal and is very valuable.

Metal materials are widely used in construction and manufacturing