石灰(せっかい)

せっかい
noun
lime; calcium oxide; quicklime
science
1. lime; calcium oxide; quicklime
A white powder obtained by heating limestone, used in construction, agriculture, and industry. Also refers to lime-based substances in general.
石灰(せっかい)で線(せん)を引(ひ)く。
To draw lines with lime.
畑(はたけ)に石灰(せっかい)をまいて土(つち)の酸度(さんど)を調整(ちょうせい)する。
To spread lime on a field to adjust the soil's acidity.
石灰岩(せっかいがん)の洞窟(どうくつ)には鍾乳石(しょうにゅうせき)が形成(けいせい)され、長(なが)い年月(ねんげつ)をかけて美(うつく)しい景観(けいかん)が生(う)まれる。
In limestone caves, stalactites form, and beautiful scenery develops over long periods of time.

A compound of 石(せき) (stone) and 灰(かい) (ash). Traditionally, 石灰(せっかい) was used to draw white lines on school playgrounds and sports fields. Modern safety concerns have led many schools to switch to alternative materials. In agriculture, it is widely used to reduce soil acidity.

Common collocations

  • 石灰(せっかい)をまく: to spread lime
  • 石灰岩(せっかいがん): limestone
  • 生(せい)石灰(せっかい): quicklime (calcium oxide)
  • 消(しょう)石灰(せっかい): slaked lime (calcium hydroxide)
  • 石灰(せっかい)水(すい): limewater
  • 石灰(せっかい)質(しつ): calcareous; limy

Similar words

  • ライム: lime — the loanword; more often refers to the citrus fruit in Japanese
  • チョーク: chalk — chalk for writing on blackboards; related but not the same substance
  • カルシウム: calcium — the element itself; 石灰(せっかい) is a calcium compound

Related Words

Compare: チョーク (chalk)
Compare: カルシウム (calcium)
general
Added 2026.4.25 23:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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