Translation and Meaning of: 乾燥 - kansou

The Japanese word 乾燥 [かんそう] is a term that appears frequently in daily life, especially in contexts related to the weather, beauty products, and even in cooking. If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about the meaning and use of this expression, this article will explore everything you need to know. Here, we will understand its translation, origin, kanji, and how it is perceived by native speakers.

Additionally, we will see practical examples of how 乾燥 is used in real situations, from weather forecasts to food packaging. If you want to effectively memorize this word or discover interesting facts about it, keep reading. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, has gathered all the essential information for you.

Meaning and Translation of 乾燥 [かんそう]

乾燥 [かんそう] can be translated as "dry" or "dryness." It describes the absence of moisture, whether in objects, environments, or even on the skin. This word is composed of two kanji: 乾 (dry, arid) and 燥 (dried, dehydrated), reinforcing the idea of something that has completely lost its moisture.

In Japan, 乾燥 is often used in weather forecasts to indicate days without rain and low relative humidity. It also appears in personal care products, such as moisturizers for dry skin, or in foods that undergo dehydration processes. Its use is so common that it often appears on packaging and labels.

Origin and Use of the Kanjis 乾燥

The kanjis that make up 乾燥 have interesting origins. The first, 乾, is associated with the concept of dryness and aridity, while 燥 carries the idea of something that has been dried out by heat. Together, they form a word that intensely emphasizes the lack of moisture. This combination is not random, as both characters reinforce the same meaning.

It is worth noting that 乾 alone can also be read as "ken" in some compound words, but in 乾燥 the reading is always "kansou." This type of variation is common in Japanese and emphasizes the importance of studying kanji in context, not just in isolation. If you want to memorize this word, one tip is to associate the radicals for "sun" (日) in 乾 and "fire" (火) in 燥, which relate to heat and dryness.

Examples of Use in Everyday Japanese

In daily life, the Japanese use 乾燥 in various situations. One of the most common is in weather forecasts, such as the phrase "今日は空気が乾燥しています" (today the air is dry). This warning is important because low humidity can cause health problems, such as dry skin and throat.

Another frequent use is in beauty products, such as creams for "乾燥肌" (dry skin), or in foods like dried fruits and dehydrated meats. Even in washing machines, you can find the "乾燥" (drying) function, indicating that the clothes will be dried after washing. These examples show how this word is present in different aspects of life in Japan.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 乾いた (Kawaita) - Dry, dehydrated
• 乾物 (Kanmotsu) - Dehydrated foods
• 乾性 (Kansei) - Dry characteristics; refers to something that has the quality of being dry.
• 乾燥した (Kansou shita) - Dry, dehydrated, in a dry state
• 乾燥状態 (Kansou joutai) - Dry state, condition of being dry
• 乾燥させる (Kansou saseru) - Dehydrate, make dry
• 乾燥機 (Kansouki) - Dryer, device for drying
• 乾燥剤 (Kansou zai) - Desiccant, a substance that removes moisture.
• 乾燥度 (Kansoudo) - Degree of dryness, level of dehydration
• 乾燥熱 (Kansou netsu) - Dry heat, heat used for drying
• 乾燥装置 (Kansou souji) - Drying equipment, machine for dehydration
• 乾燥気流 (Kansou ki ryuu) - Dry air flow, air stream for drying
• 乾燥乳 (Kansou nyu) - Dried milk, powdered milk
• 乾燥肌 (Kansou hada) - Dry skin, skin lacking moisture
• 乾燥地 (Kansouchi) - Dry land, arid area
• 乾燥期 (Kansouki) - Dry season, dry weather
• 乾燥植物 (Kansou shokubutsu) - Dried plants, dehydrated vegetation
• 乾燥物 (Kansoubutsu) - Dry objects, dehydrated items
• 乾燥症状 (Kansou shoujou) - Symptoms of dryness, conditions resulting from dryness
• 乾燥線 (Kansou sen) - Drying line, reference to a level of dryness
• 乾燥状況 (Kansou joukyou) - Drying conditions, situation of dryness
• 乾燥状態にする (Kansou joutai ni suru) - To turn into a dry state, to cause drying.