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

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