How to say 'Digestion' in Japanese | 消化

word

Meaning

Digestion

Reading

Kanji

消Extinguish 化Change

Explanation

The Japanese verbal noun '消化 (しょうか)' primarily means 'digestion'. It refers to the process by which food is broken down in the body to be absorbed and used for energy. This term is commonly used in both medical and everyday contexts. For example: Good digestion is important for health「消化が良いことは健康に重要です」(しょうかがよいことはけんこうにじゅうようです). This medicine aids digestion「この薬は消化を助けます」(このくすりはしょうかをたすけます). Additionally, '消化' can also metaphorically refer to the process of understanding or assimilating information, though this usage is less common. For example: It takes time to digest all this information「この情報を全て消化するには時間がかかります」(このじょうほうをすべてしょうかするにはじかんがかかります).

Part Of Speech

verbal noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

3024

Composition

kanji

Handwriting