How to say "chemical" in Japanese

• ケミカルCommon
  prenominal modifierCovers 'chemical' as a loanword, typically in set phrases or adjectival uses rather than as a general noun for a chemical substance; it is seldom the word you want for a concrete chemical.
• 化学物質かがくぶっしつCommon
  nounThe neutral term for a chemical substance itself — any substance produced by or used in chemistry, as discussed in science, regulation, or safety contexts.
  それは毒性どくせいのある化学かがく物質ぶっしつが含ふくまれていた。↗

  It contained harmful chemicals.
• 薬品やくひんJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounRefers to chemicals as agents used for some purpose, such as medicines, reagents, or industrial chemicals; use it when the chemical is something applied or used, not just a substance described.
• 薬剤やくざいCommon
  nounA chemical agent such as a pesticide, bleach, or lubricant; like 薬品 it treats the chemical functionally, with the gloss pointing especially to such applied agents.

Use 化学物質 for chemical substances, 薬品 or 薬剤 for functional chemical agents like pesticides or bleach, and 「ケミカル」 only in loanword-style, often adjectival contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ケミカルchemical
• 化学物質かがくぶっしつchemical substance
• 化学的かがくてきchemical
• 化学薬品かがくやくひんchemical
• 薬品やくひんchemical (agent)
• 薬剤やくざいchemical agent (e.g. pesticide, bleach, lubricant)