1.
steel
Steel — an alloy of iron and carbon. Used literally for the material and figuratively to describe something strong and unyielding.
この包丁は鋼でできている。
This kitchen knife is made of steel.
鋼のような意志で困難を乗り越えた。
He overcame the difficulty with a will of steel.
日本刀は鋼を何度も折り重ねて鍛えることで、鋭い切れ味が生まれる。
Japanese swords achieve their sharp cutting edge by repeatedly folding and forging steel.
The native Japanese word for steel. Also read as こう in Sino-Japanese compounds like 鉄鋼 (iron and steel).
FIGURATIVE USE:
鋼のような～ (like steel) is used to describe exceptional strength or toughness: 鋼のような意志 (iron will), 鋼のような肉体 (body of steel).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 鋼の意志 (will of steel)
- 鋼の刃 (steel blade)
- 鋼を鍛える (to forge steel)
Well known from the manga title 鋼の錬金術師 (Fullmetal Alchemist).