Translation guide
The English word "saturation" covers several distinct concepts: the state of being completely soaked, the intensity of color, the point of maximum concentration in chemistry, and market fullness. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Expressing that something is completely wet, filled, or unable to absorb more.
This solution is in a state of saturation.
Describes being soaked through, typically from rain or water. More casual and vivid than 飽和.
I got completely soaked in the rain.
Similar to ずぶ濡れ, meaning dripping wet. Often used for clothes or people.
My clothes are soaking wet.
Literally 'become submerged in water', used for flooded areas or objects. Not for chemical saturation.
The floor became saturated with water.
Describing how pure or intense a color is, often in art, design, or photography.
The technical term for color saturation in imaging, design, and color theory. Used in software menus and professional contexts.
Increasing the saturation makes the colors more vivid.
A more everyday way to talk about color vividness or intensity. Not a direct translation of 'saturation' but conveys the idea naturally.
Refers to color development or rendition, often used for displays, prints, or dyes. Implies how well colors appear.
Describing a market or field where supply exceeds demand, or no room for growth exists.
Used in economics and business to mean market saturation. Often appears as 市場飽和 (market saturation).
The smartphone market is in a state of saturation.
Literally 'hitting the ceiling', meaning growth has plateaued or reached a limit. Often used for sales or market expansion.
Referring to a solution that cannot dissolve any more solute, or a compound with no double/triple bonds.
The standard term in chemistry for a saturated solution or saturated hydrocarbon. Used in compounds like 飽和脂肪酸 (saturated fatty acid).
Prepare a saturated solution.
While 飽和 can mean saturation in the sense of being soaked, it is rarely used for everyday situations like wet clothes. Use ずぶ濡れ or びしょ濡れ instead. 飽和 is too technical for casual contexts.
彩度 is the precise technical term for color saturation (e.g., in Photoshop). 鮮やかさ is a general noun meaning vividness and is more natural in conversation. Use 彩度 when discussing color models or settings.
This photo lacks color saturation.
このディスプレイは発色が良い。
This display has good color saturation.
Means oversupply, a key aspect of market saturation. More direct than 飽和 when emphasizing excess supply.
This industry is saturated (oversupplied).
Sales have reached saturation point.