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火薬 (かやく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

火か薬やく

か

や

く

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun

gunpowder; explosive powder

Refers to explosive powders used in firearms, fireworks, and blasting. In everyday contexts, it often specifically means gunpowder.

火か薬やくの匂においがまだ残のこっている。
The smell of gunpowder still lingers.
この工こう場じょうでは火か薬やくを製せい造ぞうしている

。

This factory produces explosive powder.

Kanji

火fire
薬medicine, chemical, enamel

Similar words

爆ばく薬やく
爆薬 is a broader term for high explosives used in demolition and mining, while 火薬 typically refers to low explosives like gunpowder used as a propellant.
弾だん薬やく
弾薬 means ammunition (bullets, shells), which contains 火薬 as the propellant charge.

Etymology

Compound of 火 (fire) and 薬 (medicine/drug), originally referring to a 'fire drug' or 'fire powder'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used for gunpowder since its introduction to Japan.