1.
catalyst
A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
触媒を加える。
Add a catalyst.
酵素は生体内の触媒として働く。
Enzymes function as catalysts within living organisms.
車の排気ガスを浄化する触媒コンバーターが必要だ。
A catalytic converter is needed to purify car exhaust gases.
2.
catalyst, trigger
Figuratively, a person or event that triggers or accelerates change.
あの事件が触媒になった。
That incident served as a catalyst.
彼女の一言が変化の触媒となった。
Her single remark became the catalyst for change.
SNSが社会運動の触媒として機能している。
Social media is functioning as a catalyst for social movements.
WORD FORMATION:
触 (touch, contact) + 媒 (intermediary, medium)
SENSE 1 (chemistry):
A fundamental concept in chemistry. A 触媒 enables or speeds up a reaction while remaining unchanged itself.
SENSE 2 (figurative):
Used in news, essays, and formal writing to describe something that triggers or accelerates a process of change.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 触媒反応: catalytic reaction
- 触媒コンバーター: catalytic converter
- ～の触媒となる: to serve as a catalyst for ~
- 触媒として機能する: to function as a catalyst