Translation guide
A phase change is when a substance changes from one state of matter (solid, liquid, gas) to another, such as melting, freezing, boiling, or condensation. In Japanese, the general term is 相転移 (そうてんい), but in everyday contexts, specific verbs like 溶ける (とける, melt) or 凍る (こおる, freeze) are more common.
Referring to the physical process of changing state, often in physics or chemistry.
Changing from solid to liquid.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to melt'. Used for solids becoming liquid.
Changing from liquid to solid.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to freeze' (for water or liquids).
Changing from liquid to gas.
Changing from gas to liquid.
Verb meaning 'to condense' (gas to liquid).
Changing directly from solid to gas.
Verb meaning 'to sublimate'.
Dry ice sublimates.
相転移 is a technical term. In daily life, use specific verbs like 溶ける (melt), 凍る (freeze), 沸騰する (boil), etc.
Many phase change verbs have transitive/intransitive pairs. For example, 溶ける (intransitive, 'to melt') vs 溶かす (transitive, 'to melt something'). Pay attention to the particle: が for intransitive, を for transitive.
この材料は加熱すると相変化を起こす。
This material undergoes a phase change when heated.
The ice melted.
Transitive verb meaning 'to melt something'.
Please melt the butter.
Formal term for melting, used in scientific contexts.
The melting point differs depending on the substance.
水が凍った。
The water froze.
Transitive verb meaning 'to freeze something'.
I froze juice and made sherbet.
Technical term for solidification or coagulation.
Blood coagulates.
Verb meaning 'to evaporate' (liquid turning into vapor, often at any temperature).
The puddle evaporated.
Water vapor condenses into water droplets.
Specifically refers to condensation forming on surfaces (dew).
Condensation formed on the window.