溶
melt, dissolve, thaw
Readings
On'yomi
- ヨウ
Kun'yomi
- と.ける
- と.かす
- と.く
Meaning
溶 centers on a solid turning into liquid: melting, dissolving, or thawing. The idea is always a transition from solid to fluid, whether from heat or a solvent.
Most common words using 溶
20 of 115- 溶けるとけるN2
to melt; to liquefy; to soften (e.g. through heat); to thaw
- 溶かすとかすN2
to melt; to liquefy; to thaw
- 溶接ようせつ
welding
- 溶岩ようがんN2
lava
- 溶解ようかい
dissolution; dissolving; solution (e.g. chemical)
- 溶融ようゆう
melting; fusion
- 溶液ようえきN1
solution (liquid)
- 溶剤ようざい
solvent; solution; flux
- 溶け込むとけこむN2
to melt into; to dissolve into; to merge into
- 溶くとくN2
to mix (e.g. water with flour); to dissolve (salt in water, paint, etc.); to mix in
- 溶鉱炉ようこうろ
smelting furnace; blast furnace
- 溶媒ようばい
solvent
- 水溶液すいようえき
aqueous solution
- 溶性ようせい
soluble
- 溶け込みとけこみ
integration (e.g. social); mixing; penetration
- 不溶性ふようせい
insolubility
- 溶出ようしゅつ
liquation; elution
- 溶存ようぞん
dissolved
- 溶連菌ようれんきん
hemolytic streptococcus
- 溶血ようけつ
hemolysis
Study
Etymology
溶 combines 氵 (water) with 容, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of containing or taking shape. The character suggests a solid taking on a liquid form.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 plus 容 (contain, form) suggests a solid losing its shape and becoming liquid. Picture ice melting into water that takes the shape of its container.
Reading mnemonic
For ヨウ, imagine a yo-yo melting in the sun: yo -> ヨウ, and the plastic dissolves into a puddle.