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.
powder (general)
cosmetic powder
Referring to any substance made of tiny loose particles, like flour, dust, or medicinal powder.
Powder used on the skin for makeup or hygiene.
Explosive powder used in firearms or fireworks.
General term for gunpowder or explosive powder.
The action of putting powder onto something, like dusting with flour or applying makeup powder.
To coat something with powder, like flour on food.
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'.
powdered milk (common term)
Add the powder to the liquid.
The powder flew up into the air.
粉末状の洗剤
powdered detergent
Loanword from English, commonly used for cosmetic powders like face powder, baby powder, or setting powder.
I bought baby powder.
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.
She is wearing face powder.
It smells like gunpowder.
Specifically 'black powder', the historical gunpowder.
Black powder produces a lot of smoke.
Coat the fish with flour.
To dust on powder, especially cosmetic powder using a puff.
Dust powder on the face.
To sprinkle or dust powder, like powdered sugar.
Sprinkle powdered sugar on the cake.
powdered milk (formal/technical)
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.
She applied powder to her face.
The powder exploded.