How to say "atom" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 原子げんしnounThe scientific term for the atom, the basic unit of a chemical element, used in chemistry and physics. This is the word you want for the literal, scientific sense.
- nounThe katakana form of 'atom'. For the particle of physics and chemistry, 原子 is the word you want; アトム turns up mainly in names and titles.
- 微塵みじんnounNot the scientific atom: this word means a tiny particle, speck, or little piece. Its 'atom' sense is figurative — the smallest imaginable bit — so it is not the word for chemistry or physics.
For the scientific atom of chemistry and physics use 原子; 「アトム」 is the katakana borrowing, found mainly in names and titles; 微塵 means a tiny speck or particle and only figuratively an 'atom'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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