(えんそ)

えんそ
noun
chlorine
1. chlorine
A chemical element (Cl) that is a yellowish-green toxic gas with a strong smell. In everyday Japanese, most commonly encountered in the context of water purification (tap water, swimming pools) and cleaning products.
プールの塩素(えんそ)(にお)いがする。
I can smell the chlorine from the pool.
水道水(すいどうすい)塩素(えんそ)消毒(しょうどく)されている。
Tap water is disinfected with chlorine.
塩素(えんそ)(けい)漂白剤(ひょうはくざい)使(つか)うときは、換気(かんき)十分(じゅうぶん)(おこな)ってください。
When using chlorine-based bleach, please ensure adequate ventilation.

USAGE:
In everyday life, 塩素(えんそ) is most commonly discussed in the context of tap water treatment and swimming pool maintenance. The kanji (えん) (salt) reflects that chlorine was historically obtained from salt ((しお)).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 塩素(えんそ)消毒(しょうどく): chlorine disinfection
  • 塩素(えんそ)(けい): chlorine-based
  • 塩素(えんそ)濃度(のうど): chlorine concentration
  • 残留(ざんりゅう)塩素(えんそ): residual chlorine