摩擦(まさつ)

まさつ
noun
friction, rubbing; conflict
1. friction, rubbing
The resistance encountered when surfaces move against each other (physics).
摩擦(まさつ)で熱(ねつ)が出(で)る。
Heat is produced by friction.
手(て)を摩擦(まさつ)すると温(あたた)かくなる。
Rubbing your hands together makes them warm.
摩擦(まさつ)を減(へ)らすために油(あぶら)を使(つか)う。
Oil is used to reduce friction.
2. friction, conflict, discord
Disagreement or tension between people, groups, or nations (figurative).
貿易(ぼうえき)摩擦(まさつ)が問題(もんだい)だ。
Trade friction is a problem.
職場(しょくば)での摩擦(まさつ)を避(さ)ける。
To avoid friction in the workplace.
両国(りょうこく)の間(あいだ)に長(なが)い間(あいだ)摩擦(まさつ)があったが、最近(さいきん)は関係(かんけい)が改善(かいぜん)してきた。
There had been friction between the two countries for a long time, but relations have improved recently.

摩擦(まさつ) is used both literally (physical friction) and figuratively (conflict between people/groups).

Physics context:

  • 摩擦(まさつ)力(りょく) (frictional force)
  • 摩擦(まさつ)係数(けいすう) (coefficient of friction)
  • 摩擦(まさつ)熱(ねつ) (frictional heat)

Social/political context:

  • 貿易(ぼうえき)摩擦(まさつ) (trade friction)
  • 国際(こくさい)摩擦(まさつ) (international friction)
  • 人間関係(にんげんかんけい)の摩擦(まさつ) (interpersonal conflict)

Related terms:

  • 衝突(しょうとつ) (collision, clash - more intense)
general
Added 2026.1.13 20:59 · Revised 2026.2.4 22:23
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