化 石(かせき)

かせき

noun

fossil

1. fossil

The preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms found in rock. Also used figuratively to describe something outdated or behind the times.

恐竜(きょうりゅう)の化石(かせき)が見(み)つかった。

A dinosaur fossil was found.

この地層(ちそう)からは貝(かい)の化石(かせき)が多(おお)く出(で)る。

Many shell fossils come out of this geological layer.

博物館(はくぶつかん)には数百万年前(すうひゃくまんねんまえ)の化石(かせき)が展示(てんじ)されており、子(こ)どもたちに大人気(だいにんき)だ。

The museum displays fossils from millions of years ago, and they are very popular with children.

Also used figuratively to describe something hopelessly outdated, as in 化石(かせき)みたいな考(かんが)え方(かた) (fossil-like way of thinking). The compound 化石(かせき)燃料(ねんりょう) (fossil fuel) is frequently encountered in news about energy and the environment.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

化石(かせき)を発掘(はっくつ)する: to excavate a fossil
化石(かせき)燃料(ねんりょう): fossil fuel
恐竜(きょうりゅう)の化石(かせき): dinosaur fossil

general

Added 2026.2.18 15:08

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