Translation guide
Describes something that looks, sounds, or tastes like metal. Japanese uses different words depending on the sense.
Describing a surface, color, or finish that looks like metal.
Standard adjective meaning 'metallic' in appearance or quality. Often used for colors, finishes, or abstract qualities.
That car has a metallic paint job.
Loanword from English, commonly used for colors, paints, and fashion. Often implies a shiny, reflective quality.
Metallic blue nails are popular.
Literally 'having metallic luster'. More descriptive and formal, used in technical or product descriptions.
This fabric has a metallic finish.
Describing a sharp, ringing sound, like a clang or clank.
Noun meaning 'metallic sound'. Often used with がする or を立てる.
Something fell and made a metallic sound.
Adjectival phrase meaning 'metallic sound'. Slightly more descriptive than 金属音.
Means 'high-pitched' or 'shrill', often used for metallic clangs or screeches.
Describing a sharp, unpleasant taste often associated with blood or certain chemicals.
金属的 (きんぞくてき) is the native Japanese adjective and can be used for abstract qualities as well as physical appearance. メタリック is a loanword primarily used for colors, paints, and fashion items. For sounds, 金属音 or 金属的な音 are preferred; メタリック is rarely used for sounds.
While 'metallic taste' is common in English, directly translating it as 金属的な味 is understandable but less natural than 金属のような味 or 金気. Use 金気 especially for water or blood.
When I closed the door, a metallic sound echoed.
The brakes made a high-pitched metallic sound.
The well water has a metallic taste.