温室

おんしつ

greenhouse

JLPT N2

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"温室" (おんしつ) primarily means "greenhouse," a structure used to grow plants by controlling temperature and humidity. It is commonly used in gardening, agriculture, and environmental discussions.

Common Collocations

  • 温室効果ガス (greenhouse gases): Refers to gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
  • 温室の中 (inside the greenhouse): Used when talking about plants or activities occurring within a greenhouse.

Usage Notes

When using "温室," it often implies a controlled environment for plants, but it also appears in environmental science contexts, especially in the phrase "温室効果" (greenhouse effect). Be careful not to confuse "温室" with "室温" (room temperature), which refers to ambient indoor temperature.

Register and Politeness

"温室" is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts without change.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "温室" with "温泉" (hot spring) due to similar pronunciation. Pay attention to the kanji and context to avoid this mistake.

Example Sentences

おんしつでトマトをそだてています。

I am growing tomatoes in the greenhouse.

おんしつこうかガスのぞうかがちきゅうおんだんかのげんいんです。

The increase of greenhouse gases is the cause of global warming.

このしょくぶつはおんしつのなかでしかそだちません。

This plant only grows inside a greenhouse.