Translation guide
Hydrogen cyanide is a highly toxic chemical compound. In Japanese, it is most commonly referred to by its chemical name シアン化水素, but in certain contexts—such as historical, forensic, or popular media—the term 青酸 (せいさん) or 青酸ガス (せいさんガス) is used, especially when referring to the gas form or its use in executions and poisonings.
hydrogen cyanide (chemical)
hydrogen cyanide (gas, poison)
Referring to hydrogen cyanide as a chemical substance in scientific, industrial, or technical contexts.
Standard chemical name for hydrogen cyanide. Used in chemistry, safety data sheets, and formal technical writing.
Hydrogen cyanide is highly toxic.
Commonly used in forensic and crime contexts, often referring to hydrogen cyanide in its liquid or salt form (cyanide). Frequently appears in news reports and detective stories.
Specifically referring to hydrogen cyanide as a gas, often in the context of executions, chemical warfare, or fumigation.
The most common term for hydrogen cyanide gas. Used in historical contexts (e.g., gas chambers), crime, and industrial accidents.
The death was due to hydrogen cyanide gas poisoning.
More technical term for hydrogen cyanide gas, used in scientific literature and safety documentation.
Referring to poisoning by hydrogen cyanide or cyanide compounds, often in medical, forensic, or news contexts.
青酸 (せいさん) literally means 'blue acid' and historically refers to prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide in water). In modern usage, it often broadly means cyanide or hydrogen cyanide, especially in crime contexts. シアン is a loanword from 'cyan' and is used in compounds like シアン化水素. Be careful: 青酸カリ (potassium cyanide) is a specific compound, not hydrogen cyanide.
In a chemistry lab, always use シアン化水素. In a news report about a poisoning, 青酸 or 青酸ガス is more natural. For general audiences, 青酸ガス is widely understood as the poison gas.
現場から青酸が検出された。
Cyanide was detected at the scene.
Hydrogen cyanide gas is colorless and has an almond-like odor.