Translation guide
The English word 'powder' can refer to a fine dry substance, cosmetic powder, gunpowder, or the act of applying powder. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
Referring to any substance made of tiny loose particles, like flour, dust, or medicinal powder.
The most common and general word for 'powder'. Used for flour, dust, powdered medicine, etc.
A more formal or technical term for 'powder', often used in product descriptions or scientific contexts.
粉末状の洗剤
powdered detergent
Powder used on the skin for makeup or hygiene.
Loanword from English, commonly used for cosmetic powders like face powder, baby powder, or setting powder.
ベビーパウダーを買った。
I bought baby powder.
仕上げにパウダーをはたく。
I dust on powder as a finish.
Traditional Japanese face powder, often white. Used in kabuki or traditional makeup, but can refer to face powder in general.
Explosive powder used in firearms or fireworks.
The action of putting powder onto something, like dusting with flour or applying makeup powder.
To coat something with powder, like flour on food.
魚に小麦粉をまぶす。
Coat the fish with flour.
To dust on powder, especially cosmetic powder using a puff.
顔にパウダーをはたく。
Dust powder on the face.
To sprinkle or dust powder, like powdered sugar.
ケーキに粉砂糖をふる。
Sprinkle powdered sugar on the cake.
粉 (こな) is the everyday word for powder. 粉末 (ふんまつ) is more formal and often used in written descriptions or product labels. For example, 粉末洗剤 (ふんまつせんざい) means 'powdered detergent'.
パウダー is mainly for cosmetic or fine, often scented powders. For flour, dust, or medicinal powder, use 粉 (こな). Using パウダー for flour would sound unnatural.
粉を液体に加えてください。
Add the powder to the liquid.
彼女は顔にパウダーをはたいた。
She applied powder to her face.
火薬が爆発した。
The powder exploded.
彼女はおしろいを塗っている。
She is wearing face powder.
Specifically 'black powder', the historical gunpowder.
黒色火薬は煙を多く出す。
Black powder produces a lot of smoke.