noun
supernatant liquid; clear top layer
Refers to the clear liquid that rises to the top of a mixture after settling. Used in cooking, chemistry, and everyday contexts.
味噌汁の上澄みをすくって飲んだ。
I scooped up and drank the clear top layer of the miso soup.
実験では、上澄み液だけを別の容器に移した。
In the experiment, we transferred only the supernatant liquid to another container.
沈殿 refers to the sediment or precipitate that settles at the bottom, while 上澄み is the clear liquid above it.
Compound of 上 (うわ, 'upper') and 澄み (すみ, 'becoming clear'), from the verb 澄む (すむ, 'to become clear').