Translation guide
A fixative is a substance used to preserve, stabilize, or set something. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on the context: art, biology, perfumery, or cooking. There is no single all-purpose word.
A spray used to protect charcoal, pastel, or pencil drawings from smudging.
The standard term for art fixative spray. Literally 'fixing liquid'.
I sprayed fixative on the charcoal drawing.
Loanword from French 'fixatif', used in art supply contexts. Common among artists.
This fixative is suitable for pastels.
A chemical used to preserve biological tissues for microscopy.
A substance that slows the evaporation of perfume, making the scent last longer.
Standard term in perfumery. Literally 'retention agent'.
Musk is used as a fixative.
English loanword sometimes used in cosmetics industry, but less common than 保留剤.
A substance used to set colors or firm up texture in food processing.
The English word 'fixative' covers many specialized substances. Using the wrong Japanese term can cause confusion. Always identify the field first (art, biology, perfume, food).
定着液 is for paintings, 固定液 is for tissues.
If you don't know the exact term, you can describe the function: 〜を固定するための液体 (a liquid for fixing ~) or 〜を長持ちさせるもの (something that makes ~ last longer).
This perfume contains natural fixatives.
豆腐を作るのに凝固剤が必要だ。
A coagulant (fixative) is needed to make tofu.