Translation guide
The process of turning into a liquid, often used in technical, scientific, or disaster-related contexts.
Describing the physical or chemical change from solid/gas to liquid state.
Cooling is necessary for the liquefaction of gases.
A more everyday way to say 'to become liquid', suitable for general descriptions.
Butter becomes liquid when heated.
Referring to the phenomenon where saturated soil loses strength and behaves like a liquid due to shaking.
Describing the process of turning solid food into liquid, e.g., melting or blending.
液化 (ekika) is the general scientific term for any substance turning into liquid. 液状化 (ekijōka) specifically refers to soil liquefaction during earthquakes. Using 液化 for soil liquefaction is not wrong but less precise in disaster contexts.
In everyday conversation, saying 液化する (ekika suru) for melting butter or ice sounds overly technical. Use natural phrases like 溶ける (to melt) or 液体になる (to become liquid) instead.
Liquefaction of natural gas is an important industrial process.
The city suffered extensive damage from liquefaction.
The risk of ground liquefaction is high in this area.