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.
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.
シアン化水素は猛毒です。
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.
現場から青酸が検出された。
Cyanide was detected at the scene.
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.
青酸ガスによる中毒死だった。
The death was due to hydrogen cyanide gas poisoning.
More technical term for hydrogen cyanide gas, used in scientific literature and safety documentation.
シアン化水素ガスは無色で、アーモンド臭がある。
Hydrogen cyanide gas is colorless and has an almond-like odor.
Referring to poisoning by hydrogen cyanide or cyanide compounds, often in medical, forensic, or news contexts.
Standard term for cyanide poisoning. Used in medical and forensic reports.
青酸中毒の症状は急速に現れる。
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning appear rapidly.
A slightly more colloquial or general term for cyanide poisoning, often used in news media.
シアン中毒で死亡した。
Died of cyanide poisoning.
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.