(かがくせんい)

かがくせんい
noun
synthetic fiber; chemical fiber
1. synthetic fiber; chemical fiber; man-made fiber
Fiber produced through chemical processes rather than occurring naturally. Includes both fully synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, and semi-synthetic fibers like rayon.
このシャツは化学繊維(かがくせんい)でできている。
This shirt is made of synthetic fiber.
化学繊維(かがくせんい)(かわ)きやすいのが特徴(とくちょう)だ。
A characteristic of synthetic fibers is that they dry quickly.
天然繊維(てんねんせんい)化学繊維(かがくせんい)()ぜた素材(そざい)(おお)使(つか)われている。
Materials that blend natural and synthetic fibers are widely used.

A compound of 化学(かがく) ('chemistry') and 繊維(せんい) ('fiber'). Often abbreviated to 化繊(かせん) in everyday speech. Covers a broad category including polyester (ポリエステル), nylon (ナイロン), acrylic (アクリル), and rayon (レーヨン). Commonly encountered when shopping for clothing or discussing textiles.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 化学繊維(かがくせんい)(ふく): synthetic clothing
  • 化学繊維(かがくせんい)(せい): made of synthetic fiber
  • 合成(ごうせい)繊維(せんい): synthetic fiber (near-synonym)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 化繊(かせん): synthetic fiber — the common abbreviation
  • 天然繊維(てんねんせんい): natural fiber — the opposite: cotton, wool, silk, etc.
  • 合成繊維(ごうせいせんい): synthetic fiber — a near-synonym that specifically refers to fully artificial fibers (excluding semi-synthetics like rayon)