無 機 質(むきしつ)な

むきしつな

na-adjective

cold; impersonal; lifeless; inorganic

descriptive science

1. inorganic; mineral

Relating to inorganic matter or minerals, as opposed to organic substances. A technical/scientific usage.

無機質(むきしつ)な成分(せいぶん)。

Inorganic components.

土壌(どじょう)に含(ふく)まれる無機質(むきしつ)な物質(ぶっしつ)を分析(ぶんせき)する。

We analyze the inorganic substances contained in the soil.

無機質(むきしつ)な食品(しょくひん)にはカルシウムや鉄(てつ)などがある。

Minerals in food include calcium and iron.

2. cold; impersonal; lifeless; lacking warmth

Describes something that feels emotionally cold, sterile, or lacking human warmth. Often used for spaces, designs, voices, or expressions that feel mechanical or devoid of personality.

無機質(むきしつ)な壁(かべ)。

A cold, lifeless wall.

彼女(かのじょ)の声(こえ)は無機質(むきしつ)で感情(かんじょう)がなかった。

Her voice was cold and emotionless.

コンクリートだけの無機質(むきしつ)な空間(くうかん)に、植物(しょくぶつ)を置(お)いて温(あたた)かみを出(だ)した。

I added plants to the cold, concrete-only space to give it some warmth.

Literally means "inorganic quality." Sense 1 is the scientific meaning (inorganic/mineral). Sense 2 is a figurative extension widely used in everyday Japanese to describe things that feel emotionally sterile or lacking personality.

Common collocations

無機質(むきしつ)な空間(くうかん) — cold, impersonal space
無機質(むきしつ)な声(こえ) — flat, emotionless voice
無機質(むきしつ)な表情(ひょうじょう) — blank expression
無機質(むきしつ)なデザイン — minimalist/sterile design

Similar words

冷(つめ)たい — cold (emotional or physical)
殺風景(さっぷうけい) — bleak, dreary (of a place)
味気(あじけ)ない — bland, dreary, lacking charm

Related Words

Compare: 冷(つめ)たい (cold)

Compare: 殺風景(さっぷうけい) (bleak, dreary)

Compare: 味気(あじけ)ない (bland, dreary, lacking charm)

general

Added 2026.3.27 12:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

19500/19858_mukishitsuna