鍾乳石(しょうにゅうせき)

しょうにゅうせき
noun
stalactite; stalagmite; dripstone
naturescience
1. stalactite; stalagmite; dripstone
A mineral deposit formed by dripping water in caves, typically made of calcium carbonate. The term covers both formations hanging from the ceiling (stalactites) and those rising from the floor (stalagmites).
洞窟(どうくつ)の中(なか)に鍾乳石(しょうにゅうせき)があった。
There were stalactites inside the cave.
鍾乳石(しょうにゅうせき)は何万年(なんまんねん)もかけて少(すこ)しずつ成長(せいちょう)する。
Stalactites grow little by little over tens of thousands of years.
秋芳洞(あきよしどう)は日本最大級(にほんさいだいきゅう)の鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう)で、見事(みごと)な鍾乳石(しょうにゅうせき)が数多(かずおお)く見(み)られることで有名(ゆうめい)だ。
Akiyoshido is one of Japan's largest limestone caves and is famous for the many magnificent stalactites and stalagmites that can be seen there.

A compound of 鍾乳(しょうにゅう) (stalactite formation) and 石(せき) (stone). Formed over millennia as water containing dissolved calcium carbonate drips through limestone caves and gradually deposits mineral layers.

In everyday Japanese, 鍾乳石(しょうにゅうせき) is used as a general term for both stalactites (hanging from above) and stalagmites (growing from below). Visiting 鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう) (limestone caves) is a popular tourist activity in Japan.

Common collocations

Related words

Related Words

Related: 鍾乳洞(しょうにゅうどう) (limestone cave)
Related: 石灰岩(せっかいがん) (limestone)
Related: 洞窟(どうくつ) (cave)
general
Added 2026.4.19 22:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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