Translation guide
The process of turning into vapor or gas. In Japanese, the most common term is 気化 (kika), but other words are used depending on context, such as evaporation, sublimation, or figurative disappearance.
The physical process of a substance turning into vapor, especially from liquid to gas.
The most general and common term for vaporization, covering both evaporation and boiling. Used in scientific and everyday contexts.
Water vaporizes when heated.
Specifically refers to evaporation, the process of a liquid turning into vapor at a temperature below its boiling point. Often used for water evaporating.
Means boiling, the rapid vaporization of a liquid when heated to its boiling point. Not a direct synonym for vaporization, but related.
The process of a solid turning directly into gas without passing through a liquid phase.
The scientific term for sublimation. Used in chemistry and physics.
Describing something or someone vanishing as if turning into vapor, often used metaphorically.
The use of heat or lasers to vaporize tissue in medical procedures.
Used in medical contexts for vaporization of tissue, such as in laser surgery. Also used in botany for transpiration.
気化 is the broader term for any liquid-to-gas phase change, including boiling. 蒸発 specifically means evaporation at the surface below boiling point. In everyday language, 蒸発 is more common for water evaporating, while 気化 is used in technical contexts.
When used figuratively, 蒸発 often implies a negative disappearance, like someone running away from responsibilities. It can sound casual or even slangy.
The puddle disappeared due to vaporization.
洗濯物の水分が蒸発する。
The moisture in the laundry evaporates.
水は100度で沸騰する。
Water boils at 100 degrees.
Dry ice sublimates into carbon dioxide.
Commonly used figuratively to mean 'disappear without a trace', like a person vanishing. Can be used for money or objects too.
He vanished, leaving his debts behind.
My savings disappeared into thin air.
A four-character idiom meaning 'vanish like clouds and mist', used for complete disappearance. More literary.
My anxiety vanished completely.
Vaporize tissue with a laser.
He did a disappearing act.
Figurative use