素子(そし)

そし
noun
element; component; device
sciencetechnology
1. element; component; electronic device
A fundamental building block in electronics or technology, such as a transistor, diode, or sensor. Refers to a discrete functional unit within a larger system.
半導体(はんどうたい)素子(そし)の性能(せいのう)が向上(こうじょう)した。
The performance of semiconductor devices has improved.
この回路(かいろ)は複数(ふくすう)の素子(そし)で構成(こうせい)されている。
This circuit is composed of multiple components.
受光(じゅこう)素子(そし)がカメラのセンサーの中心的(ちゅうしんてき)な役割(やくわり)を果(は)たす。
The photosensitive element plays a central role in the camera sensor.

Composed of 素(そ) (element, base) and 子(し) (small thing, child). In electronics and physics, 素子(そし) refers to an individual functional component. The character 子(し) here functions as a suffix indicating a small discrete unit, similar to its use in 粒子(りゅうし) (particle) or 電子(でんし) (electron).

Common collocations

  • 半導体(はんどうたい)素子(そし): semiconductor device
  • 受光(じゅこう)素子(そし): light-receiving element, photosensor
  • 発光(はっこう)素子(そし): light-emitting element
  • 素子(そし)の集積(しゅうせき): integration of components

Similar words

  • 部品(ぶひん): part, component — a general word for mechanical or electronic parts
  • 要素(ようそ): element, factor — used more abstractly for constituent elements of a concept or system
  • 電子(でんし): electron — shares the 子(し) suffix but refers specifically to the subatomic particle

Related Words

Compare: 部品(ぶひん) (part, component)
Compare: 要素(ようそ) (element, factor)
Compare: 電子(でんし) (electron)
general
Added 2026.5.2 20:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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