水 銀(すいぎん)

すいぎん

noun

mercury; quicksilver

1. mercury; quicksilver

The chemical element mercury (Hg), a silvery liquid metal. Historically used in thermometers, barometers, and various industrial applications. Now restricted due to toxicity.

水銀(すいぎん)は常温(じょうおん)で液体(えきたい)だ。

Mercury is a liquid at room temperature.

古(ふる)い体温計(たいおんけい)には水銀(すいぎん)が使(つか)われていた。

Old thermometers used mercury.

水銀(すいぎん)は人体(じんたい)に有害(ゆうがい)なので、取(と)り扱(あつか)いには十分(じゅうぶん)な注意(ちゅうい)が必要(ひつよう)だ。

Mercury is harmful to the human body, so sufficient care is needed when handling it.

Usage

水銀(すいぎん) refers specifically to the metallic element mercury. In Japanese, the word literally combines 水(みず) (water) and 銀(ぎん) (silver), reflecting the element's liquid, silvery appearance.

Common collocations

水銀(すいぎん)灯(とう) (mercury lamp)
水銀(すいぎん)中毒(ちゅうどく) (mercury poisoning)
水銀(すいぎん)体温計(たいおんけい) (mercury thermometer)

Cultural note

The Minamata disease (水俣病(みなまたびょう)) caused by mercury pollution is one of Japan's most well-known environmental disasters.

general

Added 2026.3.19 13:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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