粉末

ふんまつ

fine powder

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Understanding 粉末 (fěnmò)

粉末 refers to a fine powder or powdered form of a substance. It is commonly used in scientific, industrial, and everyday contexts such as medicine, cosmetics, and manufacturing.

Usage and Context

粉末 often describes substances that have been ground or processed into very small particles. It is frequently seen in compound nouns like 粉末 (medicine powder) or 粉末 (powder coating).

Common Collocations

  • 粉末 (fěnmò zhuàng): powder form, describing the physical state.
  • 粉末 (fěnmò túliào): powder coating, used in industrial contexts.
  • 粉末成分 (fěnmò chéngfèn): powder ingredients, often in cosmetics or food.

Nuances

When using 粉末, speakers imply the substance is finely ground and often dry. It differs from (fěn) alone, which can mean powder but also flour or cosmetic powder. 粉末 emphasizes the fine particulate nature.

Avoiding Confusion

Don't confuse 粉末 with (mò) alone, which means 'end' or 'tip'. 粉末 is a fixed compound meaning powder, not related to time or sequence.

Using 粉末 correctly helps learners describe materials and substances accurately in scientific, medical, and everyday conversations.

Example Sentences

This medicine is in powder form and needs to be taken with water.

The powder coatings produced by the factory can be used to prevent rust and

The powder ingredients in cosmetics help absorb excess oil and keep the skin