Translation guide
The English word 'precipitate' has several distinct meanings: as a verb, it can mean to cause something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly, or to cause a substance to separate from a solution; as an adjective, it means done hastily without careful thought; and in chemistry, it can be a noun referring to the solid formed. This guide covers the most common uses for learners.
To make something happen, especially something bad, sooner than expected or suddenly.
A general verb meaning 'to cause' or 'to bring about', often used for events, problems, or crises.
The remark precipitated chaos.
Means 'to trigger' or 'to induce', often used for medical conditions or chain reactions.
Stress can precipitate illness.
Literally 'to become the trigger', used when something serves as the catalyst for an event.
The incident precipitated the war.
Describing an action or decision made too quickly without enough thought.
A na-adjective meaning 'rash', 'thoughtless', or 'imprudent'. Commonly used for actions or judgments.
I made a precipitate decision.
The past tense of 早まる (to be hasty), often used attributively to mean 'premature' or 'hasty'.
You should avoid precipitate actions.
A na-adjective meaning 'impatient' or 'hasty', often used in formal or written contexts.
Don't jump to a precipitate conclusion.
In chemistry, to cause a solid to separate from a solution.
The solid substance that forms in a chemical reaction.
To condense and fall as rain, snow, etc. (intransitive).
A technical term meaning 'to precipitate' as rain or snow. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
Water vapor condenses and precipitates.
English 'precipitate' in the sense of 'cause to happen suddenly' does not have a single perfect Japanese equivalent. Using 沈殿させる (chemistry) for this meaning would be completely wrong. Choose 引き起こす or 誘発する based on context.
軽率な emphasizes thoughtlessness or imprudence, while 早まった focuses on the timing being too early. 軽率な is more common for describing a person's character or a decision, whereas 早まった is often used for actions that turned out badly because they were rushed.
This alloy contains precipitates.