鉄(てつ)

てつ
noun
iron, steel
1. iron
A metallic element.
鉄(てつ)は硬(かた)い。
Iron is hard.
鉄(てつ)でできている。
It's made of iron.
鉄(てつ)は熱(あつ)いうちに打(う)て。
Strike while the iron is hot.
Proverb meaning: act while conditions are favorable.
2. steel
An alloy of iron.
鉄(てつ)の橋(はし)が架(か)かっている。
A steel bridge spans across.
地下鉄(ちかてつ)で通勤(つうきん)している。
I commute by subway.
鉄道(てつどう)で旅行(りょこう)するのが好(す)きだ。
I like traveling by rail.

鉄(てつ) refers to iron as a material, and by extension, steel and iron products.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 鉄道(てつどう): railroad, railway
  • 地下鉄(ちかてつ): subway
  • 鉄板(てっぱん): iron plate, griddle; also slang for "guaranteed"
  • 鉄砲(てっぽう): gun, firearm
  • 鉄橋(てっきょう): iron bridge

EXPRESSIONS:

  • 鉄(てつ)は熱(あつ)いうちに打(う)て: Strike while the iron is hot

SIMILAR MATERIALS:

  • 銅(どう): copper
  • 銀(ぎん): silver
  • 金(きん): gold
  • 鋼(はがね): steel (refined iron)

SLANG:
鉄板(てっぱん) also means "guaranteed" or "sure thing" in modern slang.

general
Added 2026.1.9 21:22 · Revised 2026.2.22 10:05
02000/02225_tetsu