石炭 en 30 segundos
- Sekitan refers to mineral coal, a fossil fuel essential for industrial history and modern electricity generation, though controversial due to high carbon emissions.
- It is distinct from 'sumi' (charcoal), as sekitan is a natural rock while sumi is man-made from wood for cooking or art.
- The word is frequently used in discussions about Japan's Meiji-era industrialization, energy policy, and the global transition toward renewable energy sources.
- Common collocations include 'sekitan-karyoku' (coal-fired power) and 'tanko' (coal mine), appearing often in news, history, and scientific contexts.
The Japanese word 石炭 (せきたん - Sekitan) literally translates to "stone charcoal." It refers to coal, the combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock that has been a fundamental source of energy since the Industrial Revolution. In a Japanese context, the word carries significant historical weight, particularly regarding the country's rapid modernization during the Meiji era. Unlike charcoal (sumi), which is made from wood, sekitan is a fossil fuel extracted from the earth. You will encounter this word in history books, environmental news, and discussions about energy policy.
- Material Origin
- Formed from plant remains buried under high pressure and heat over millions of years.
Historically, Japan relied heavily on its domestic coal mines, such as those in Hokkaido and Kyushu. The Miike Coal Mine and the Hashima (Battleship Island) mine are famous historical sites where sekitan was the lifeblood of the local economy. In modern conversation, the word is often linked to climate change debates, as Japan still utilizes coal-fired power plants (sekitan karyoku hatsudensho) despite international pressure to decarbonize.
蒸気機関車は石炭を燃料として走ります。(Steam locomotives run using coal as fuel.)
- Modern Context
- Today, the word is frequently used in the context of "Datsu-sekitan" (decarbonization or moving away from coal).
Because Japan has limited natural resources today, much of the coal used is imported. Therefore, the word appears in trade statistics and economic reports. When you hear sekitan, think of heavy industry, historical mining towns, and the complex balance between energy needs and environmental protection.
かつて日本には多くの石炭鉱山がありました。(There used to be many coal mines in Japan.)
- Scientific Classification
- Categorized as a non-renewable energy source alongside petroleum and natural gas.
In metaphorical or literary settings, coal can represent hidden potential or the harsh conditions of labor. However, its primary use remains literal. Whether you are studying history, geography, or current events in Japanese, mastering the word sekitan is essential for discussing the industrial foundations of the world.
Using 石炭 (Sekitan) in sentences usually involves verbs of action like "burning," "mining," or "importing." As a noun, it functions as the subject or object without any special conjugation requirements. However, its collocations are specific to industrial and environmental contexts.
この発電所は石炭を燃やして電気を作っています。(This power plant burns coal to generate electricity.)
In the sentence above, the particle o (を) marks coal as the object of the verb moyasu (to burn). This is the most common grammatical structure for the word. When discussing the source of energy, the particle de (で) is often used to indicate the means: Sekitan de ugoku (moving by means of coal).
- Common Verb Pairings
- 1. 石炭を掘る (horu) - To dig/mine coal.
2. 石炭を運ぶ (hakobu) - To transport coal.
3. 石炭を供給する (kyokyu suru) - To supply coal.
When using sekitan in a more complex sentence, you might combine it with other nouns to create compound words. For example, sekitan-sangyo (coal industry) or sekitan-karyoku (coal-fired thermal power). These compounds are ubiquitous in news reports regarding the economy and the environment.
政府は石炭の使用を減らす方針です。(The government has a policy to reduce the use of coal.)
In academic or formal writing, sekitan is often discussed in terms of its carbon content and emissions. Sentences often include words like nishuankatanso (carbon dioxide) and haishutsu (emission). For example: "Coal emits more CO2 than natural gas."
- Sentence Structure Example
- [Subject] + は + [Coal] + を + [Verb].
Example: 彼は石炭を暖炉にくべた。(He put coal into the fireplace.)
Finally, remember that sekitan is a non-count noun in English but functions like any other discrete or mass noun in Japanese. You don't pluralize it; the quantity is understood through context or specific counters like ton (tonnes) or fukuro (bags).
You will encounter the word 石炭 (Sekitan) in several specific environments in Japan. While it is no longer a common household fuel, it remains a major topic in public discourse. The most frequent place to hear it is on the NHK News or in newspapers like the Asahi Shimbun during segments on energy policy or international climate summits.
ニュースで石炭火力発電の廃止が議論されています。(The abolition of coal-fired power generation is being discussed in the news.)
In the education system, Japanese students learn about sekitan in social studies (shakai) classes. They study the Industrial Revolution and Japan's own industrial heritage. Museums like the Kyushu Railway History Museum or the various coal mining heritage sites in Hokkaido frequently use the term in their exhibits and audio guides.
- Industrial Sites
- Places like Gunkanjima (Hashima) or the Miike Mine in Omuta are where the word is most historically resonant.
Furthermore, fans of Ghibli movies or historical anime might hear the word. In Spirited Away, the character Kamaji operates the boiler room using small soot sprites (susuwatari) that carry pieces of coal. In Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba), the protagonist Tanjiro's family are charcoal sellers (sumi-yaki), but the distinction between sumi and sekitan is often a point of curiosity for learners.
In business meetings related to logistics, manufacturing, or environmental consulting, sekitan is a standard technical term. It is used when discussing fuel costs, supply chains, and carbon taxes. If you are reading financial reports of Japanese utility companies like TEPCO or JERA, the word will appear frequently in their fuel procurement sections.
The most common mistake learners make is confusing 石炭 (Sekitan) with 炭 (Sumi). While both translate to "coal" or "charcoal" in some English contexts, they are distinct substances in Japanese. Sekitan is the fossil fuel dug from the ground, while sumi is the charcoal made from burning wood, used for BBQ (yakitori) or traditional calligraphy ink.
❌ バーベキューで石炭を使います。
✅ バーベキューで炭を使います。
Using sekitan for a barbecue would be incorrect and dangerous, as mineral coal produces toxic fumes and is not suitable for cooking food directly. Another common error is in pronunciation. The 'k' in sekitan is a clear stop, and the 'n' at the end is a nasal sound. Beginners sometimes confuse it with sekken (soap), which sounds somewhat similar but has a double 'k' and ends in 'en'.
- Word Confusion
- 1. 石炭 (Sekitan) - Mineral coal (Industrial).
2. 炭 (Sumi) - Wood charcoal (Cooking/Art).
3. 石油 (Sekiyu) - Petroleum/Oil (Liquid fuel).
Learners also sometimes struggle with the kanji. The first character 石 (stone) is often confused with 右 (right). Remember that the "stone" character doesn't have the top stroke poking through. The second character 炭 (charcoal/carbon) contains the radical for fire (火) at the bottom, which is a great mnemonic for its purpose.
Lastly, avoid using sekitan when you mean "pencil lead." Even though pencil lead is made of graphite (a form of carbon), the Japanese word for pencil lead is enpitsu no shin. Using sekitan in that context would sound very strange to a native speaker.
While 石炭 (Sekitan) is the general term for coal, there are several related words that describe different types of coal or alternative fuels. Understanding these nuances will help you navigate technical and historical texts more effectively.
- Types of Coal
- 無煙炭 (Muentan): Anthracite. A hard, compact variety of coal that has a submetallic luster.
褐炭 (Kattan): Lignite. A soft, brown, combustible sedimentary rock formed from naturally compressed peat.
泥炭 (Deitan): Peat. An accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter.
Compared to other fossil fuels, sekitan is often grouped with sekiyu (petroleum) and tennen gasu (natural gas). In the context of the "Green Transformation" (GX) in Japan, you will often hear kaiseukanou enerugi (renewable energy) as the alternative to coal.
石炭の代わりに天然ガスを使用する。(Using natural gas instead of coal.)
Another word often associated with sekitan is kokusu (coke). Coke is a grey, hard, and porous fuel with a high carbon content and few impurities, made by heating coal or oil in the absence of air. It is used primarily in iron ore smelting. If you are visiting a steel mill (seitetsu-jo), you will hear both sekitan and kokusu used frequently.
In environmental contexts, kaseki nenryo (fossil fuels) is the umbrella term that includes coal. When discussing the history of energy, the phrase enerugi kakumei (energy revolution) refers to Japan's shift from coal to oil in the 1960s. Knowing these alternatives allows for a much richer discussion of Japan's economic and environmental landscape.
How Formal Is It?
Dato curioso
In the Edo period, coal was sometimes called 'moeru ishi' (burning stones) before the term 'sekitan' became standardized.
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing it like 'Sekken' (soap).
- Drawing out the 'i' too long.
- Dropping the 'n' at the end.
- Confusing the pitch with 'Sekitan' (incorrectly stressing the first syllable).
- Mishearing it as 'Sekiyu' (oil).
Nivel de dificultad
Kanji are standard but 'Tan' can be tricky to write.
The character 炭 has many strokes.
Easy to pronounce.
Distinct sound, though can be confused with soap.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
Noun + を使って (Using Noun)
石炭を使って発電する。
Noun + による (Due to Noun)
石炭による汚染。
Noun + からの (From Noun)
石炭からの脱却。
Noun + とともに (Along with Noun)
石炭の普及とともに産業が発展した。
Noun + 代わりの (Instead of Noun)
石炭の代わりのエネルギー。
Ejemplos por nivel
石炭は黒いです。
Coal is black.
Simple noun + wa + adjective structure.
これは石炭ですか？
Is this coal?
Basic question form using 'desu ka'.
石炭を燃やします。
I burn coal.
Direct object marked by 'o'.
古い電車は石炭を使いました。
Old trains used coal.
Past tense of the verb 'tsukau' (to use).
山に石炭がありました。
There was coal in the mountain.
Existence verb 'arimashita' for inanimate objects.
石炭は石のようです。
Coal is like a stone.
Using 'no you desu' to make a comparison.
父は石炭を見ました。
My father saw the coal.
Subject 'chichi' without a possessive particle in humble context.
石炭はどこですか？
Where is the coal?
Interrogative 'doko' for location.
昔、この町には石炭の山がありました。
Long ago, there was a mountain of coal in this town.
Using 'mukashi' to indicate the past.
石炭を運ぶ船が見えます。
I can see a ship carrying coal.
Relative clause: 'Sekitan o hakobu' modifies 'fune'.
石炭はとても重いです。
Coal is very heavy.
Adverb 'totemo' modifying the adjective 'omoi'.
冬に石炭で部屋を暖めました。
In winter, we warmed the room with coal.
Instrumental particle 'de' indicating the means.
この石炭はどこから来ましたか？
Where did this coal come from?
Origin indicated by 'kara'.
石炭をたくさん買うことができません。
I cannot buy a lot of coal.
Potential form 'koto ga dekimasen'.
石炭を掘る仕事は大変です。
The job of digging coal is hard.
Nominalizing the phrase with 'koto'.
石炭と石油はどう違いますか？
How are coal and oil different?
Using 'to' for 'and' and 'dou' for 'how'.
石炭火力発電所は環境に悪いと言われています。
Coal-fired power plants are said to be bad for the environment.
Passive form 'iwarete imasu' (is said).
日本は石炭の多くを海外から輸入しています。
Japan imports much of its coal from overseas.
Continuous state 'yunyuu shite imasu'.
石炭を燃やすと、二酸化炭素が出ます。
When you burn coal, carbon dioxide is released.
Conditional 'to' indicating a natural consequence.
石炭産業は、かつて日本を支えていました。
The coal industry once supported Japan.
Compound noun 'Sekitan-sangyo'.
新しい技術で、石炭をきれいに使うことができます。
With new technology, we can use coal cleanly.
Adverbial use of 'kirei ni'.
彼は石炭鉱山で働いた経験があります。
He has experience working in a coal mine.
The structure 'V-ta keiken ga aru'.
石炭の価格が上がると、電気代も高くなります。
If the price of coal rises, electricity bills also become expensive.
Conditional 'to' followed by a result.
この博物館には石炭の歴史が展示されています。
The history of coal is exhibited in this museum.
Passive potential form 'tenji sarete imasu'.
政府は石炭の使用を段階的に廃止する予定です。
The government plans to phase out the use of coal.
Compound verb 'dankaiteki ni haishi suru'.
石炭の採掘が周辺の生態系に与える影響を調査する。
We will investigate the impact that coal mining has on the surrounding ecosystem.
Relative clause 'saikutsu ga... ataeru' modifying 'eikyou'.
オーストラリアは世界有数の石炭輸出国です。
Australia is one of the world's leading coal exporters.
The term 'yuusu no' meaning 'one of the most prominent'.
石炭は化石燃料の中でも特に炭素排出量が多い。
Among fossil fuels, coal has a particularly high amount of carbon emissions.
Using 'no naka demo' for emphasis within a group.
エネルギー自給率を高めるために、国内の石炭が見直された時期があった。
There was a time when domestic coal was reconsidered to increase energy self-sufficiency.
Purpose clause 'tame ni' and past passive 'minaosareta'.
石炭の燃焼によって発生する煤煙が問題となっている。
Soot and smoke generated by the combustion of coal have become a problem.
Nouns connected by 'ni yotte' to show cause.
この地域は、かつて石炭の町として栄えていました。
This region once flourished as a coal town.
Using 'toshite' to mean 'in the capacity of'.
石炭の品質を評価するための基準が設けられている。
Standards have been established to evaluate the quality of coal.
Passive 'moukerarete iru'.
石炭からの脱却は、持続可能な社会を実現するための鍵となります。
Moving away from coal is the key to realizing a sustainable society.
Abstract noun 'dakkyaku' (breaking away from/divesting).
石炭火力への依存を減らすことは、国際的な公約となっています。
Reducing dependence on coal-fired power has become an international pledge.
Nominalized phrase '...koto' as a subject.
石炭鉱山の閉山に伴い、地域経済の活性化が急務となっている。
Along with the closure of coal mines, revitalizing the local economy has become an urgent task.
Structure '...ni tomonai' (along with/accompanying).
クリーン石炭技術の進展が、排出量削減に寄与すると期待されている。
Advances in clean coal technology are expected to contribute to emission reductions.
Causative-passive expectation 'kitai sarette iru'.
石炭の埋蔵量は他の化石燃料に比べて豊富である。
Coal reserves are abundant compared to other fossil fuels.
Formal comparison 'ni kurabete'.
石炭産業の歴史を紐解くと、労働運動の変遷が見えてくる。
Unraveling the history of the coal industry reveals the transitions in labor movements.
Idiomatic expression 'himotoku' (to unwrap/unravel).
途上国における石炭利用の増加が、地球温暖化の一因となっている。
The increase in coal use in developing countries is one cause of global warming.
Compound noun 'ichi-in' (one factor/cause).
石炭のガス化技術は、次世代のエネルギー源として注目を集めている。
Coal gasification technology is attracting attention as a next-generation energy source.
The idiom 'chuumoku o atsumeru'.
石炭資産の座礁資産化が、金融市場において大きなリスクと見なされている。
The transformation of coal assets into stranded assets is regarded as a major risk in financial markets.
Highly technical term 'zashou shisanka' (stranded assetization).
石炭利用の是非を巡る議論は、倫理的側面と経済的利害が複雑に絡み合っている。
The debate over the pros and cons of coal use is a complex entanglement of ethical aspects and economic interests.
Structure '...o meguru' (surrounding/regarding).
石炭火力発電の段階的廃止は、エネルギー安全保障の観点からも慎重な議論を要する。
The phase-out of coal-fired power generation requires careful discussion also from the perspective of energy security.
Formal requirement '...o you suru'.
石炭紀に形成された地層から、当時の植生を推測することができる。
From the strata formed during the Carboniferous period, one can infer the vegetation of that time.
Geological term 'Sekitanki' (Carboniferous period).
石炭採掘の歴史的遺産をいかに保存し、後世に伝えるかが問われている。
How to preserve the historical heritage of coal mining and pass it on to future generations is being questioned.
Embedded question 'ikani... ka'.
石炭価格のボラティリティは、新興国のインフレ率に直接的な影響を及ぼし得る。
The volatility of coal prices can have a direct impact on the inflation rates of emerging nations.
Auxiliary verb 'uru' (can/is possible).
石炭の高度利用に向けた研究は、炭素循環型社会の構築に寄与する。
Research aimed at the advanced utilization of coal contributes to the construction of a carbon-cycling society.
Compound noun 'tanso junkan-gata shakai'.
石炭という安価なエネルギー源が、近代化の原動力であったことは否定できない。
It cannot be denied that the cheap energy source called coal was the driving force behind modernization.
Double negative '...koto wa hitei dekinai'.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— To feed coal into a furnace or stove.
機関士はボイラーに石炭をくべた。
— Smoke produced by burning coal.
石炭の煙が空を覆った。
— A pile or mountain of coal.
港には石炭の山ができている。
— Coal dust.
石炭の粉で顔が黒くなった。
— A coal seam or layer in the earth.
地層の中に石炭の層を見つけた。
— Coal ash.
石炭の灰を再利用する。
— The quality of the coal.
この地域の石炭は質が良い。
— The amount of coal used.
石炭の使用量を削減する。
— The transportation of coal.
石炭の輸送コストが上がった。
— The mining or extraction of coal.
石炭の採掘には危険が伴う。
Se confunde a menudo con
Charcoal made from wood. Used for BBQ or calligraphy.
Petroleum/Oil. A liquid fossil fuel.
Soap. Sounds similar but unrelated.
Modismos y expresiones
— In some contexts, can mean doing back-breaking or thankless industrial labor.
彼は毎日、石炭を運ぶような重労働をしている。
Metaphorical— Referring to coal as something as valuable as diamonds.
戦後の日本にとって、石炭はまさに黒ダイヤだった。
Historical— Refers to a dark nebula in astronomy (Coalsack Nebula).
南十字星の近くに石炭の袋が見える。
Scientific— To start a fire with coal (literal), but can imply starting a difficult process.
計画に火をつけるのは、石炭に火をつけるように時間がかかる。
Nuanced— Not a standard idiom, but used in literature to describe someone hard or 'black-hearted'.
彼の心は石炭のように冷たくて硬い。
Literary— To endure extreme hardship (rare).
石炭を噛むような思いで修行した。
Archaic— Falling ash or soot from coal engines.
SLが通ると石炭の雨が降った。
Descriptive— The smell of industrial progress or nostalgia for the steam age.
この町にはまだ石炭の匂いが残っている。
Sensory— Eyes as black as coal.
彼女は石炭のような黒い目をしている。
Poetic— Refers to a machine that consumes a lot of coal.
この古いボイラーは石炭を食う。
ColloquialFácil de confundir
Both translate to coal/charcoal in English.
Sekitan is a mineral rock; Sumi is processed wood.
バーベキューには炭を使います。(We use charcoal for BBQ.)
Both are fossil fuels starting with 'Seki'.
Sekitan is solid; Sekiyu is liquid.
車は石油から作られたガソリンで走ります。(Cars run on gasoline made from oil.)
Both start with 'Seki' (stone).
Sekizai is building stone; Sekitan is fuel.
この壁は石材で作られています。(This wall is made of stone material.)
Coal is made of carbon.
Sekitan is the rock; Tanso is the chemical element.
ダイヤモンドは炭素でできています。(Diamonds are made of carbon.)
Similar sound and both are minerals.
Sekkai is lime/calcium; Sekitan is coal.
石灰岩からセメントを作る。(Make cement from limestone.)
Patrones de oraciones
[Noun] は [Adjective] です。
石炭は黒いです。
[Noun] を [Verb] ます。
石炭を燃やします。
[Noun] は [Noun] として使われます。
石炭は燃料として使われます。
[Noun] の [Noun] が問題になっています。
石炭の使用が問題になっています。
[Noun] に伴い、[Clause]。
石炭の廃止に伴い、新しい仕事が必要です。
[Noun] の是非を巡って [Clause]。
石炭利用の是非を巡って議論が続いています。
[Noun] を [Verb] ことによって [Clause]。
石炭を燃やすことによって電気が作られます。
[Noun] より [Noun] のほうが [Adjective] です。
石炭より石油のほうが便利です。
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
High in news/history, Low in daily casual conversation.
-
Using 'Sekitan' for charcoal BBQ.
→
炭 (Sumi)
Sekitan is mineral coal; Sumi is wood charcoal used for food.
-
Writing 'Migi' (右) instead of 'Ishi' (石).
→
石
The top stroke of 'Ishi' does not cross the vertical line.
-
Confusing 'Sekitan' with 'Sekiyu' (Oil).
→
石炭 (Solid) vs 石油 (Liquid)
They are both fossil fuels but in different states of matter.
-
Saying 'Sekitan o taberu' for a machine.
→
石炭を消費する (consume) or 石炭を食う (colloquial)
While 'kuu' is used for machines, 'taberu' is strictly for living things eating.
-
Mispronouncing as 'Sekken'.
→
Sekitan
Sekken means soap. The 'tan' ending is crucial.
Consejos
Stone Charcoal
Just remember the literal translation of the kanji. Stone + Charcoal = Coal.
Mass Noun
Don't try to count 'sekitan' like 'one coal'. Use 'hitotsu' for a piece or 'ton' for weight.
Tanko Bushi
Look up the 'Tanko Bushi' dance on YouTube to see how coal mining is celebrated in Japanese culture.
Don't BBQ with it
Never confuse 'sekitan' with 'sumi' when buying fuel for a grill!
Fire Radical
The bottom of 炭 is 火 (fire). This helps you remember it's something that burns.
Meiji Era
Associate 'sekitan' with the Meiji era to remember its historical importance.
Fossil Fuels
Learn 'sekiyu' and 'tennen gasu' at the same time as 'sekitan' to complete the set.
News Keywords
When you hear 'CO2' or 'environment' on Japanese news, listen for 'sekitan'.
Three Beats
Se-ki-tan. Give each syllable equal time.
Stroke Order
Practice the stroke order of 炭, especially the top part (mountain) and the bottom (fire).
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of a 'Stone' (石) that acts like 'Charcoal' (炭). It's the rock that burns!
Asociación visual
Imagine a black, jagged rock glowing with a red ember inside.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to explain the difference between 'sekitan' and 'sumi' to a friend in three sentences.
Origen de la palabra
The word is a Sino-Japanese compound (Kango). 'Ishi' (石) means stone, and 'Tan' (炭) means charcoal. It was coined to describe the 'stone-like charcoal' found in the earth.
Significado original: Stone charcoal.
Japanese (Sino-Japanese roots).Contexto cultural
Discussions about coal mining in Japan can be sensitive regarding the history of forced labor (including Korean and Chinese laborers) during WWII.
In the UK and US, coal is often associated with the 'Coal Belt' or 'The North', and carries similar historical and environmental connotations.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
History Class
- 産業革命と石炭
- 炭鉱の生活
- エネルギー革命
- 日本の近代化
Environmental Discussion
- 石炭火力の廃止
- 二酸化炭素の排出
- 脱石炭の動き
- 気候変動への影響
Energy Policy
- 石炭の輸入価格
- エネルギーミックス
- 石炭の備蓄
- 次世代石炭技術
Museum Visit
- 石炭の化石
- 採掘道具
- 蒸気機関の仕組み
- 炭鉱の歴史展示
Science/Geology
- 石炭の成因
- 炭素含有量
- 地層と石炭
- 石炭の種類
Inicios de conversación
"日本の石炭火力発電についてどう思いますか？"
"昔の蒸気機関車を見たことがありますか？石炭で動くんですよ。"
"あなたの国ではまだ石炭を使っていますか？"
"石炭と炭の違いを知っていますか？"
"「炭鉱節」という歌を聞いたことがありますか？"
Temas para diario
石炭が日本の歴史に与えた影響について、自分の考えを書いてください。
環境のために石炭の使用をすぐに止めるべきだと思いますか？その理由も書いてください。
もしあなたが炭鉱で働く人だったら、どのような毎日を過ごすか想像して書いてください。
未来のエネルギー源として、石炭は生き残ると思いますか？
博物館で石炭の展示を見た時の感想を日本語で書いてみましょう。
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, Japan still relies on coal for about 30% of its electricity generation as of recent years, though there are plans to reduce this.
Sekitan is natural coal from the ground. Sumi is charcoal made by humans by burning wood. Use sumi for cooking and sekitan for power plants.
No. Mineral coal contains sulfur and other chemicals that are toxic. It is never used for cooking food directly.
It consists of 'Ishi' (stone: 石) and 'Tan' (charcoal: 炭). The second kanji has 'fire' (火) at the bottom.
Most large-scale commercial coal mines in Japan have closed, but a few small operations remain, and historical sites are preserved.
It refers to a coal-fired thermal power plant. It is a very common compound word in the news.
Because it was the most valuable resource for Japan's economy during its industrialization period.
No, that is 'enpitsu no shin'. 'Sekitan' is only for the fuel.
It is generally considered a B1 level word because it involves social and industrial topics.
It was common in the past, especially in Hokkaido, but now most people use kerosene (sekiyu), gas, or electricity.
Ponte a prueba 180 preguntas
Write a sentence using '石炭' to describe its color.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence saying you burn coal.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about coal being in the ground.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence comparing coal and oil.
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Discuss one environmental problem caused by coal.
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Explain why Japan imports coal.
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Write about the decline of the coal industry.
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Describe a steam locomotive using '石炭'.
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Write a formal sentence about phasing out coal.
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Use the term '黒ダイヤ' in a historical context.
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Say 'Coal is black' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Say 'I burn coal' in Japanese.
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Say 'Old trains used coal' in Japanese.
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Ask 'Where is the coal?' in Japanese.
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Dijiste:
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Say 'Coal is a fossil fuel' in Japanese.
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Say 'I want to reduce coal use' in Japanese.
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Explain that coal is from the ground in Japanese.
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Say 'Coal emits CO2' in Japanese.
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Say 'The coal industry is declining' in Japanese.
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Say 'We need to move away from coal' in Japanese.
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Identify the word: せきたん
Listen and choose the meaning: 'Sekitan wa omoi desu.'
Listen and identify the fuel: 'Kono fune wa sekitan o hakonde imasu.'
Listen and translate: 'Sekitan karyoku hatsuden.'
Listen for the number: 'Nihon wa sekitan no sanju-pasento o yunyu shite imasu.'
Identify the place: 'Sekitan no tanko ni ikimashita.'
Listen and translate: 'Sekitan no shiyou o haishi suru.'
Listen for the reason: 'Sekitan wa yasui node, tsukawaremasu.'
Listen and translate: 'Datsu-sekitan no ugoki.'
Listen and identify the era: 'Meiji jidai ni sekitan sangyo ga hatten shimashita.'
Write a sentence: 'Coal is heavy.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'Coal is a resource' in Japanese.
Read this aloud:
Dijiste:
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Identify: 石炭 (せきたん)
Write: 'Coal produces smoke.'
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Say 'I saw coal at the museum.'
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Dijiste:
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Identify: 炭鉱 (たんこう)
Write: 'Coal mining is dangerous.'
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Say 'Stop using coal.'
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Dijiste:
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Identify: 二酸化炭素 (にさんかたんそ)
Write: 'We must protect the environment from coal smoke.'
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Say 'Coal was the main energy source.'
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Dijiste:
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Identify: 供給 (きょうきゅう)
Write: 'Is this coal?'
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Say 'I don't like coal smoke.'
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Dijiste:
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Identify: 燃料 (ねんりょう)
Write: 'Coal was important.'
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Say 'Where is the coal mine?'
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Dijiste:
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Identify: 輸入 (ゆにゅう)
Write: 'Coal is a rock.'
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Say 'Coal was black gold.'
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Identify: 地球温暖化 (ちきゅうおんだんか)
Write: 'I studied about coal.'
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Say 'Coal is a non-renewable resource.'
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Dijiste:
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Identify: 採掘 (さいくつ)
Write: 'The fire is burning coal.'
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Say 'Coal is becoming obsolete.'
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Dijiste:
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Identify: 資源 (しげん)
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Sekitan (石炭) is the Japanese term for coal, a critical fossil fuel. While it powered Japan's modernization, it is now primarily discussed in terms of environmental impact and energy transition. Example: 石炭火力発電の削減 (Reduction of coal-fired power generation).
- Sekitan refers to mineral coal, a fossil fuel essential for industrial history and modern electricity generation, though controversial due to high carbon emissions.
- It is distinct from 'sumi' (charcoal), as sekitan is a natural rock while sumi is man-made from wood for cooking or art.
- The word is frequently used in discussions about Japan's Meiji-era industrialization, energy policy, and the global transition toward renewable energy sources.
- Common collocations include 'sekitan-karyoku' (coal-fired power) and 'tanko' (coal mine), appearing often in news, history, and scientific contexts.
Stone Charcoal
Just remember the literal translation of the kanji. Stone + Charcoal = Coal.
Mass Noun
Don't try to count 'sekitan' like 'one coal'. Use 'hitotsu' for a piece or 'ton' for weight.
Tanko Bushi
Look up the 'Tanko Bushi' dance on YouTube to see how coal mining is celebrated in Japanese culture.
Don't BBQ with it
Never confuse 'sekitan' with 'sumi' when buying fuel for a grill!
Ejemplo
昔は石炭が主要な燃料だった。
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〜の上
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