Translation guide
The process of chemical breakdown of a substance by microorganisms, often used in food and drink production. In Japanese, the core concept is expressed by the verb 発酵する (hakkō suru), but related terms exist for specific contexts like pickling or brewing.
To describe the process of fermentation in general, such as in making bread, beer, wine, yogurt, or in scientific contexts.
The standard verb for 'to ferment'. Used for a wide range of fermentation processes, from food to industrial applications.
パン生地を発酵させる。
Let the bread dough ferment.
This wine fermented slowly.
The noun form meaning 'fermentation'. Often used in compound words or technical descriptions.
発酵食品は健康に良い。
Fermented foods are good for your health.
Specifically refers to brewing alcoholic beverages like sake, beer, or wine. More technical and limited to drink production.
日本酒を醸造する。
Brew sake.
To describe the process of fermenting vegetables, such as making pickles, kimchi, or sauerkraut.
Means 'to pickle' or 'to preserve in a liquid'. While not exclusively fermentation, it is the most common verb for making Japanese pickles (漬物), many of which are fermented.
きゅうりを糠床に漬ける。
Pickle cucumbers in a rice bran bed (a fermented pickle).
白菜を塩で漬けて発酵させる。
Salt the napa cabbage and let it ferment.
Used when explicitly emphasizing the fermentation aspect of pickling. Often combined with 漬ける.
キムチを発酵させるには時間がかかる。
It takes time to ferment kimchi.
To describe a situation where ideas, emotions, or unrest are developing or brewing, similar to 'fermenting' in English.
Literally means 'to smolder', but figuratively describes discontent or unrest that is brewing or simmering under the surface.
国民の不満がくすぶっている。
Discontent among the people is fermenting.
Means 'to brew' or 'to foster', often used for creating an atmosphere or sentiment. More formal and written.
不安が社会に醸成されている。
Anxiety is fermenting in society.
Means 'to well up' or 'to surge', used for emotions or movements that are brewing and about to erupt.
発酵 (hakkō) implies a desirable or controlled process, while 腐敗 (fuhai) means 'rotting' or 'putrefaction', which is undesirable. Be careful not to confuse them when talking about food spoilage.
牛乳が腐敗した。
The milk went bad (rotted).
ヨーグルトは牛乳を発酵させて作る。
Yogurt is made by fermenting milk.
When talking about home cooking, 発酵させる is often used in recipes. For example, when making bread, you might say パン生地を発酵させる (let the dough rise/ferment). Note that for bread, 'rise' is also commonly expressed as パン生地を発酵させる or 一次発酵 (primary fermentation).
変革の機運が沸き起こっている。
A mood for change is fermenting.