(ぶんし)

ぶんし
noun
molecule; numerator; member of a group
1. molecule
The smallest unit of a chemical compound that retains its chemical properties. A scientific term used in chemistry and biology.
(みず)分子(ぶんし)はH2Oだ。
The molecule of water is H2O.
この物質(ぶっしつ)分子(ぶんし)(ちい)さい。
This substance has small molecules.
分子(ぶんし)レベルで構造(こうぞう)解析(かいせき)する。
We analyze the structure at the molecular level.
2. numerator
The number above the line in a fraction.
分数(ぶんすう)分子(ぶんし)(うえ)(かず)だ。
The numerator of a fraction is the number on top.
分子(ぶんし)分母(ぶんぼ)約分(やくぶん)する。
Reduce the numerator and denominator.
3/5の分子(ぶんし)は3で、分母(ぶんぼ)は5だ。
In 3/5, the numerator is 3 and the denominator is 5.
3. member, element (of a group)
A person who belongs to a particular group, often used with a negative connotation to describe troublesome or dangerous members.
不穏(ふおん)分子(ぶんし)排除(はいじょ)する。
Eliminate disruptive elements.
過激(かげき)分子(ぶんし)がデモに(まぎ)()んだ。
Radical elements infiltrated the demonstration.
反体制(はんたいせい)分子(ぶんし)として警察(けいさつ)監視(かんし)されていた。
He was under police surveillance as an anti-establishment element.

Three distinct meanings that share the same reading:

Sense 1 (molecule) is the most common in scientific contexts.
Sense 2 (numerator) pairs with 分母(ぶんぼ) (denominator).
Sense 3 (member/element) typically appears with negative modifiers.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 分子(ぶんし)構造(こうぞう) (molecular structure)
  • 分子(ぶんし)(りょう) (molecular weight)
  • 不穏(ふおん)分子(ぶんし) (disruptive elements)
  • 過激(かげき)分子(ぶんし) (radical elements)