ミネラル

みねらる
noun
mineral; minerals (nutritional)
1. mineral; minerals (nutritional)
Essential inorganic nutrients such as calcium, iron, and zinc needed by the body. From English 'mineral.' In Japanese, most commonly used in the context of nutrition and health.
ミネラルが不足(ぶそく)している。
I'm lacking minerals.
海藻(かいそう)にはミネラルが豊富(ほうふ)だ。
Seaweed is rich in minerals.
ビタミンとミネラルをバランスよく()ることが大切(たいせつ)だ。
It's important to take in vitamins and minerals in a balanced way.

A loanword from English 'mineral.' In Japanese, this word is most commonly used in the nutritional sense, referring to essential trace elements needed by the body such as calcium, iron, and zinc. The geological sense (a mineral substance found in rock) exists but is less common in everyday usage.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ミネラルウォーター: mineral water
  • ミネラルが豊富(ほうふ): rich in minerals
  • ミネラル不足(ぶそく): mineral deficiency
  • ミネラル補給(ほきゅう): mineral replenishment
  • ミネラルを()る: to take in minerals

RELATED TERMS:

  • ビタミン: vitamin — often mentioned alongside ミネラル in health contexts
  • 鉱物(こうぶつ): mineral (geological) — the Japanese word for minerals in the geological/scientific sense
  • 栄養素(えいようそ): nutrient — broader term for nutritional components