鉄
Meanings
The chemical element iron. Used in scientific, industrial, and everyday contexts.
Strike while the iron is hot.
This pot is made of iron.
Often used loosely to refer to steel, especially in compounds. Compare with 鋼 (はがね), which specifically means steel.
See also: 鋼
A steel bridge spans the river.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
Metaphorical use for something strong, unyielding, or strict. Often used as a no-adjective.
He faced his serious illness with an iron will.
This team is known for its iron discipline.
noun, noun, used as a suffix, noun, used as a prefix
Abbreviation of 鉄道 (てつどう). Used as a prefix or suffix in compounds like 私鉄 (private railway) or 国鉄 (national railway).
See also: 鉄道
I commute by private railway.
The national railway was privatized.
Colloquial suffix, short for 鉄道ファン. Often used in compounds like 撮り鉄 (railway photographer) or 乗り鉄 (person who enjoys riding trains).
He's a railfan photographer, always taking pictures at stations on his days off.
As a travel-oriented railfan, he has conquered railway lines all over Japan.
Usage patterns
- 鉄を溶かすto melt iron
At this factory, iron is melted at high temperatures and processed.
- 鉄のように硬いas hard as iron
His will was as hard as iron, and no one could change it.
- 鉄の意志an iron will
She continued the harsh training with an iron will.
- 鉄を打つto forge/hammer iron
The craftsman forged the red-hot iron into a sword.
Expressions
- 鉄の処女iron maiden (torture device)
- 鉄は熱いうちに打てstrike while the iron is hot
- 鉄は熱いうちに鍛えよstrike while the iron is hot
- 鳩が豆鉄砲を食ったようwide-eyed in shock; dumbfounded
- 下手な鉄砲も数撃てば当たるeven the unskilled can succeed by a fluke given enough tries; even a poor marksman will hit the target with enough shots