防 腐(ぼうふ)

ぼうふ

noun

antisepsis; preservation; rot prevention

1. antisepsis; preservation; rot prevention; decay prevention

The act or process of preventing decomposition, decay, or rotting. Applied to food preservation, wood treatment, embalming, and other contexts where organic materials are protected from spoiling.

防腐(ぼうふ)処理(しょり)をする。

Apply preservative treatment.

この食品(しょくひん)には防腐(ぼうふ)剤(ざい)が入(はい)っていない。

This food contains no preservatives.

木材(もくざい)の防腐(ぼうふ)処理(しょり)をしないと、数年(すうねん)で腐(くさ)ってしまう。

Without preservative treatment, the wood will rot within a few years.

Composed of 防(ぼう) (prevent, guard against) + 腐(ふ) (rot, decay). Part of the productive 防(ぼう)〜 pattern for describing prevention.

Usage

防腐(ぼうふ) is most commonly encountered in the compound 防腐(ぼうふ)剤(ざい) (preservative, antiseptic agent). In food-related contexts, it appears on ingredient labels and in discussions about food additives. In construction and woodworking, 防腐(ぼうふ)処理(しょり) (preservative treatment) is the standard term for treating wood against decay.

Common collocations

防腐(ぼうふ)剤(ざい): preservative, antiseptic
防腐(ぼうふ)処理(しょり): preservative treatment
防腐(ぼうふ)効果(こうか): preservative effect
防腐(ぼうふ)加工(かこう): anti-rot processing
無(む)防腐(ぼうふ)剤(ざい): preservative-free

Similar words

保存(ほぞん): preservation, storage — broader term for keeping things in good condition; includes refrigeration, canning, etc.
殺菌(さっきん): sterilization — killing bacteria, a more aggressive approach than just preventing decay
防虫(ぼうちゅう): insect prevention — same 防(ぼう)〜 pattern applied to insects
防(ぼう)カビ: mold prevention — same 防(ぼう)〜 pattern applied to mold

Related Words

Compare: 保存(ほぞん) (preservation, storage)

Compare: 殺菌(さっきん) (sterilization)

Compare: 防虫(ぼうちゅう) (insect prevention)

Compare: 防(ぼう)カビ (mold prevention)

general

Added 2026.4.18 19:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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