Translation guide
Catechu is a natural extract from acacia trees, used in traditional medicine, dyeing, and tanning. In Japanese, it is referred to by its borrowed name or described by its source.
Referring to the extract itself, often in technical or traditional contexts.
Direct loanword from English, used in scientific and technical contexts.
Catechu contains a lot of tannin.
Traditional Kampo medicine term for catechu, literally 'Asen medicine'.
Specifies catechu from acacia, used when distinguishing sources.
Acacia catechu is used as a dye.
Referring to the brownish dye obtained from catechu.
Means 'catechu dye', used in textile and craft contexts.
In everyday conversation, catechu is rarely mentioned. Use the loanword カテキュー in most cases, and clarify with context if needed.
阿仙薬は漢方で用いられる。
Catechu is used in Kampo medicine.
This cloth is dyed with catechu dye.
Catechin, a component of catechu, sometimes used loosely but technically distinct.
Catechin is a specific chemical compound, not the whole extract.
Catechin is also found in tea.