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鍾乳石 (shounyuuseki) Japanese meaning: stalactite | Kotomora

鍾しょう乳にゅう石せき

しょ

う

にゅ

う

せ

き

Meanings

1

stalactite

A geological formation hanging from the ceiling of a cave, formed by mineral deposits. Often contrasted with 石筍 (stalagmite).

See also: 石筍

鍾しょう乳にゅう洞どうには大おおきな鍾しょう

乳にゅう

石せき

が

いくつ

も

垂た

れ

下さ

がっ

て

い

た

。

In the limestone cave, many large stalactites were hanging down.

Kanji

鍾spindle, gather, collect
乳milk, breasts
石stone
鐘bell, gong, chimes

Don't confuse with

鍾しょう乳にゅう洞どう
鍾乳石 refers to the stalactite itself, whereas 鍾乳洞 refers to the whole cave that contains such formations.

Written forms

鍾しょう乳にゅう石せき
Standard kanji spelling for stalactite.
鐘しょう乳にゅう石せき
irregular kanji usage
Irregular kanji variant; 鐘 (bell) is sometimes used instead of 鍾 (cluster), but this spelling is non-standard.

Etymology

From Chinese 鍾乳石, literally 'bell-breast stone', referring to the shape of stalactites. The kanji 鍾 means 'cluster' or 'gather', and 乳 means 'breast' or 'milk', evoking the dripping formation.