Translation guide
The process of removing salt from water, typically to produce fresh water. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the technical term 淡水化, but related processes like seawater desalination use specific compounds.
To refer to the process of removing salt from water in a technical, scientific, or formal context.
The standard technical term for desalination, literally 'fresh-water-ization'. Used in scientific, engineering, and policy contexts.
淡水化技術は水不足の解決策として期待されている。
Desalination technology is expected to be a solution to water shortages.
Literally 'salt removal'. A more general term that can refer to desalination of water or soil, or even removal of salt from food. In water treatment contexts, it is synonymous with 淡水化 but slightly less common.
この装置は海水の脱塩に使われる。
This device is used for the desalination of seawater.
To specifically refer to desalination of seawater, often in the context of large-scale plants or drinking water production.
The compound 'seawater desalination'. This is the most common way to specify desalination of seawater.
中東では海水淡水化プラントが多く建設されている。
Many seawater desalination plants have been built in the Middle East.
The same meaning as 海水淡水化 but with the possessive particle の, making it slightly more explicit. Used in formal writing.
海水の淡水化には多大なエネルギーが必要だ。
Desalination of seawater requires a huge amount of energy.
To refer to the physical plant or facility where desalination takes place.
The standard term for a desalination plant. プラント is a loanword from English 'plant'.
新しい淡水化プラントが来年稼働する予定だ。
The new desalination plant is scheduled to start operation next year.
A more formal term for a seawater desalination facility, often used in official documents.
この地域には大規模な海水淡水化施設がある。
There is a large-scale seawater desalination facility in this region.
淡水化 is the most common and specific term for water desalination. 脱塩 is broader and can refer to removing salt from soil or food. In water treatment contexts, they are often interchangeable, but 淡水化 is preferred for clarity.