解凍する
解凍する en 30 secondes
- Used for defrosting frozen food in the kitchen.
- Used for unzipping/extracting compressed computer files.
- It is a transitive 'suru' verb (Object + を + 解凍する).
- Different from 'tokeru' (natural melting like ice or snow).
The Japanese verb 解凍する (kaitō suru) is a compound verb consisting of two kanji characters: 解 (kai), meaning to untie, solve, or unravel, and 凍 (tō), meaning to freeze or ice. When combined, they literally translate to 'unraveling the freeze' or 'solving the frozen state.' In practical, everyday Japanese, this word is primarily used in two distinct contexts: the culinary world and the digital world. In the kitchen, it refers to the process of defrosting or thawing frozen food. Whether you are taking a piece of steak out of the freezer or heating up a frozen bento meal, you are performing the act of kaitō. In the digital realm, however, the word takes on a technical meaning: to decompress or 'unzip' a compressed file (such as a .zip or .lzh file). This dual usage makes it an essential word for both domestic life and office environments in Japan.
- Culinary Context
- Used when moving food from a frozen state to a usable room-temperature or chilled state. It is a transitive verb, meaning you usually 'thaw something.'
冷凍の鶏肉を冷蔵庫でゆっくり解凍するのが一番美味しいです。 (Thawing frozen chicken slowly in the refrigerator is the most delicious way.)
Japan has a highly developed 'Reishoku' (frozen food) culture. From high-quality frozen ramen to intricate bento side dishes, the instruction 解凍してお召し上がりください (please thaw and enjoy) is seen on countless packages. There are several ways to thaw food in Japan: 自然解凍 (shizen kaitō - natural thawing at room temperature), 流水解凍 (ryūsui kaitō - thawing under running water), and レンジ解凍 (renji kaitō - microwave thawing). Each method is chosen based on the type of food and the time available. For instance, sashimi is often thawed slowly in the fridge to maintain its texture, while a quick lunch might require the microwave's defrost setting.
- Digital Context
- In IT and office work, this refers to extracting files from a compressed archive. The opposite action, compressing a file, is called 'asshuku' (圧縮).
送られてきたZIPファイルを解凍するためのパスワードを教えてください。 (Please tell me the password to unzip the ZIP file you sent.)
The word is extremely common in professional emails. If you receive a large set of documents, they will likely be compressed to save space. Knowing how to use kaitō suru in this context is vital for working in any Japanese-speaking office. It is worth noting that while English users might say 'unzip' or 'extract,' Japanese users almost exclusively use kaitō or sometimes tenkai (展開 - to expand/deploy), though kaitō remains the most colloquial standard for compressed archives.
- Kanji Breakdown
- 解 (Kai): To untie, solve, or explain. 凍 (Tō): To freeze. Together, they imply the systematic removal of a frozen state to return something to its original, usable form.
この肉は、まだ完全に解凍されていません。 (This meat hasn't been completely defrosted yet.)
Using 解凍する (kaitō suru) correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb. In most cases, you are the agent performing the action on an object (the food or the file). The grammatical structure usually follows: [Object] + を + 解凍する. However, in passive contexts, such as describing the state of something, you might use 解凍される (to be thawed) or 解凍されている (is thawed/in a thawed state). Because it is a 'suru' verb, it is highly flexible and can be used in polite form (解凍します), negative form (解凍しない), or potential form (解凍できる).
- Everyday Cooking
- When talking about meal prep, the timing of the thawing is crucial. You will often hear sentences that combine 'kaitō' with time-related adverbs.
夕食のために、朝から冷凍の魚を解凍しておきました。 (I thawed the frozen fish since this morning for dinner.)
In this sentence, kaitō shite okimashita uses the ~te oku grammar point, which means to do something in advance. This is a very common way to use the word, as thawing is almost always a preparatory step. You might also see it used with conditions: 解凍しすぎると、肉の旨味が逃げてしまいます (If you thaw it too much/too aggressively, the flavor of the meat will escape). This highlights the nuance that kaitō is a process that requires care to maintain quality.
- Instructions and Commands
- Recipes and food packaging use the imperative or instructional forms. 'Kaitō shite kudasai' is the standard polite request.
電子レンジの解凍モードを使って、2分間加熱してください。 (Please heat it for 2 minutes using the microwave's defrost mode.)
Notice here that 解凍 is used as a noun modifying 'mode' (解凍モード). This is a very common compound noun. Other compounds include 解凍方法 (kaitō hōhō - thawing method) and 解凍時間 (kaitō jikan - thawing time). If you are looking at a Japanese microwave, the button for defrosting will simply say 解凍. Understanding this noun usage is just as important as the verb usage.
- IT and Workplace Communication
- In the office, you might need to explain that you cannot open a file or ask someone to unzip one for you.
このソフトをインストールする前に、まずフォルダを解凍する必要があります。 (Before installing this software, you first need to unzip the folder.)
In a technical context, kaitō is often paired with hitsuyō ga aru (there is a necessity) or shite kudasai. If a file is corrupted and won't unzip, you might say 解凍できません (cannot unzip/thaw). Using the word in this way shows a high level of functional Japanese, as it bridges the gap between daily life and professional skills. Remember, whether it's frozen shrimp or a compressed database, the action of 'opening it up for use' is kaitō.
You will encounter 解凍する (kaitō suru) in several key environments in Japan. The most frequent place is undoubtedly the kitchen. Japanese households rely heavily on frozen ingredients due to the high frequency of grocery shopping and the small size of many refrigerators. Consequently, daily conversations often revolve around dinner preparation. You might hear a family member ask, 'Did you thaw the meat?' (Niku, kaitō shite oite kureta?). It is also a staple word in TV cooking shows and YouTube recipe videos, where chefs explain the best way to maintain the 'umami' of frozen ingredients during the thawing process.
- Supermarkets and Convenience Stores
- Labels on food packaging are the most common written form you will see. Look for '解凍' on labels for frozen seafood or pre-made meals.
ラベルに「解凍」と書いてある魚は、一度冷凍されたものです。 (Fish with 'thawed' written on the label are those that were frozen once.)
In Japanese supermarkets, fish that was previously frozen and then thawed for sale must be labeled as 解凍 (kaitō). This is an important distinction for consumers who may want to avoid refreezing the item at home. Seeing this word on a price tag or label tells you about the history and freshness of the product. Similarly, convenience store staff might use the word when heating up a frozen item for you, though they usually use the more general atatamemasu ka? (shall I warm it up?).
- The Modern Office
- Whenever data is shared, 'kaitō' is likely to be mentioned. It is the standard term for handling compressed attachments in emails.
添付ファイルを解凍したら、中身を確認してください。 (Once you have unzipped the attached file, please check the contents.)
In a professional setting, you will hear this during meetings or see it in Slack/Teams messages. If a colleague sends a 'LZH' or 'ZIP' file, they might follow up with, 'Did you manage to unzip it?' (Kaitō dekimashita ka?). This usage is so ingrained that many Japanese speakers don't even think of the 'ice' connection when unzipping a file; it has become a pure technical term. For IT support staff, kaitō is a daily-use word when troubleshooting software installations or data transfers.
- Home Appliances
- The interface of Japanese electronics. Microwave ovens, refrigerators with 'thaw' compartments, and specialized kitchen gadgets.
最新の冷蔵庫には、肉を美味しく解凍する専用のスペースがあります。 (The latest refrigerators have a dedicated space for deliciously thawing meat.)
When shopping at an electronics store like Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera, you will see kaitō all over the signage for kitchen appliances. Salespeople will explain the 'thawing performance' (kaitō seinō) of different microwave models. They might demonstrate how a specific 'steam defrost' function works. For anyone living in Japan, the word is literally written on the buttons of the machines they use every single day to prepare food.
One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Japanese is confusing 解凍する (kaitō suru) with other verbs that mean 'to melt' or 'to dissolve.' While English often uses 'melt' for many different scenarios, Japanese is much more specific. The most frequent confusion is with 溶ける (tokeru). While both involve a transition from solid to liquid (or semi-solid), they are used in very different contexts and have different grammatical properties.
- Kaitō vs. Tokeru
- 'Kaitō suru' is a deliberate process of thawing something for use. 'Tokeru' is the natural process of melting (like ice in the sun or salt in water).
❌ 氷を解凍してください。 (Please 'thaw' the ice.)
✅ 氷を溶かしてください。 (Please melt the ice.)
In the example above, using kaitō for plain ice sounds very strange. You 'thaw' food to prepare it, but you 'melt' (tokasu - transitive version of tokeru) ice to turn it into water. Another common error is using kaitō for things that aren't frozen to begin with. For example, if you are dissolving sugar in tea, you must use tokasu (溶かす), never kaitō. Kaitō strictly requires the object to have been intentionally frozen (reitō) beforehand.
- The Transitive Trap
- Students often forget that 'kaitō suru' is transitive. If the meat is thawing on its own, you should use 'kaitō sarete iru' or 'tokete iru' depending on the focus.
❌ 肉が解凍しました。 (The meat 'thawed' - sounds like the meat performed the action.)
✅ 肉が解凍されました。 (The meat was thawed.)
While in English we can say 'The meat is thawing,' in Japanese, kaitō suru feels very much like an action someone does. If you want to describe the state of the meat being ready, kaitō ga owatta (thawing has finished) or mō tokete iru (already melted/thawed) are more natural. This distinction between 'action' and 'state' is a hurdle for many B1-level learners.
- IT Vocabulary Confusion
- Sometimes learners use 'hiraku' (to open) when they should use 'kaitō suru' for zip files.
ファイルを開く前に、まず解凍しなければなりません。 (Before 'opening' the file, you must first 'unzip' it.)
While you 'open' (hiraku) a folder or a document, you 'thaw/unzip' (kaitō) the compressed archive. If you tell a Japanese colleague 'I can't open the file' (fairu ga hirakemasen), they might think there's a permission issue. If you say 'I can't unzip it' (kaitō dekimasen), they will know exactly what the technical problem is. Being precise with kaitō avoids confusion in a professional setting.
To truly master 解凍する (kaitō suru), it is helpful to look at its synonyms and related terms. Depending on the level of formality or the specific context (scientific, culinary, or technical), other words might be more appropriate. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to understand more complex texts.
- 融解する (Yūkai suru)
- This is a scientific and highly formal term for melting or fusion. You will see this in physics or chemistry textbooks rather than the kitchen.
氷の融解熱を測定する。 (Measure the heat of fusion of ice.)
While kaitō is about making food ready to eat, yūkai is about the physical change of state from solid to liquid. You would never use yūkai for a ZIP file or a frozen steak in a casual conversation. However, if you are reading a report about global warming and the 'melting' of polar ice caps, yūkai is the word you will encounter.
- 溶かす (Tokasu) / 溶ける (Tokeru)
- The most common everyday alternatives. 'Tokeru' is intransitive (it melts), and 'tokasu' is transitive (I melt it).
バターをフライパンで溶かしてください。 (Please melt the butter in the frying pan.)
Wait, can you use tokasu for frozen meat? Yes, in casual speech, people often say niku o tokasu. However, kaitō is more precise and sounds slightly more 'proper.' Tokasu is more about the result (becoming soft or liquid), while kaitō is about the process of reversing the freezing. For chocolate or butter, tokasu is the only choice, as they aren't 'frozen' in the culinary sense of long-term storage.
- 展開する (Tenkai suru)
- In IT, this means 'to expand' or 'to deploy.' It is often used for extracting software packages or expanding data structures.
圧縮されたデータをメモリ上に展開する。 (Expand the compressed data into the memory.)
While kaitō is the common word for a user unzipping a file, tenkai is more technical and refers to the system's action of expanding data. If you are writing code or technical documentation, tenkai might be more appropriate. For a general user interface, kaitō is friendlier. Understanding this distinction helps in navigating Japanese software and technical manuals.
How Formal Is It?
Le savais-tu ?
The use of 'kaitō' for computer files only started in the late 1980s when compression software became popular in Japan. It was a perfect metaphor for 'unfreezing' a packed file.
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing 'kai' as 'kay'.
- Making the 'o' in 'tō' too short.
- Confusing the pitch accent with 'kaitō' (answer/response), which has a different pitch pattern.
- Pronouncing 'suru' with a very heavy 'u' sound like 'soo-roo'.
- Failing to elongate the 'o' sound in 'tō'.
Niveau de difficulté
The kanji are common but require B1 level knowledge to read reliably.
Writing '解' and '凍' correctly from memory can be tricky for intermediate learners.
Easy to pronounce once you know the pitch accent.
Distinctive sound, though can be confused with 'answer' (kaitō).
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Suru-verbs (Noun + する)
解凍 + する = 解凍する
~ておく (Preparation)
肉を解凍しておく。
~てから (Sequence)
解凍してから焼く。
Passive Voice (~される)
魚が解凍される。
Potential Form (~できる)
ファイルが解凍できる。
Exemples par niveau
肉を解凍します。
I will defrost the meat.
Simple subject + object + verb structure.
これを解凍してください。
Please defrost this.
Using ~te kudasai for a polite request.
レンジで解凍します。
I will defrost it in the microwave.
Using 'de' to indicate the means or tool.
魚を解凍しましたか?
Did you defrost the fish?
Past tense question form.
パンを解凍したいです。
I want to defrost the bread.
Using ~tai to express desire.
解凍は簡単です。
Defrosting is easy.
Using 'kaitō' as a noun.
まだ解凍していません。
I haven't defrosted it yet.
Present progressive negative (state).
解凍ボタンはどこですか?
Where is the defrost button?
Asking for the location of a noun.
冷凍のピザを解凍してから焼きます。
I'll defrost the frozen pizza and then bake it.
Using ~te kara to show sequence of actions.
自然解凍がいいですよ。
Natural thawing is good, you know.
Using compound noun 'shizen kaitō'.
ファイルを解凍できますか?
Can you unzip the file?
Potential form of the verb.
お肉を解凍するのを忘れていました。
I had forgotten to defrost the meat.
Using 'no' to nominalize the verb phrase.
冷蔵庫でゆっくり解凍してください。
Please defrost it slowly in the refrigerator.
Using an adverb 'yukkuri' with the verb.
この魚は解凍品です。
This fish is a thawed product.
Using 'kaitō-hin' as a compound noun.
解凍時間は10分です。
The thawing time is 10 minutes.
Compound noun for duration.
解凍モードで温めてください。
Please warm it up on defrost mode.
Using 'de' for the setting/mode.
夕食に間に合うように肉を解凍しておいた。
I thawed the meat in advance so it would be ready for dinner.
Using ~ni maniau yō ni (so as to be in time) and ~te oku.
ZIPファイルを解凍すると、新しいフォルダができます。
When you unzip the ZIP file, a new folder is created.
Using the conditional ~to for natural consequences.
急いでいるときは、流水で解凍するのが一番早い。
When you're in a hurry, thawing under running water is the fastest.
Using 'no ga' for comparisons.
パスワードがないと、このファイルは解凍できません。
Without a password, you cannot unzip this file.
Potential negative form with a condition.
解凍しすぎると、魚の鮮度が落ちてしまいます。
If you defrost it too much, the freshness of the fish will drop.
Using ~sugiru (too much) and ~te shimau (regret).
ラベルをよく見て、解凍されたものかどうか確認した。
I looked closely at the label and checked if it was something that had been thawed.
Using indirect question ~ka dō ka.
このソフトは解凍不要で使えます。
This software can be used without needing to unzip it.
Using 'fuyō' (unnecessary) after the noun.
半解凍の状態で切ると、きれいに切れます。
If you cut it in a semi-thawed state, it cuts beautifully.
Using 'han-kaitō' (semi-thawed).
この冷凍食品は、自然解凍でも美味しく食べられるように工夫されている。
This frozen food is designed so that it can be eaten deliciously even with natural thawing.
Using passive 'kufū sarete iru' (is devised/designed).
ダウンロードしたファイルを解凍しようとしたが、エラーが出てしまった。
I tried to unzip the downloaded file, but an error occurred.
Using volitional + to suru (try to do).
刺身を解凍する際は、ドリップが出ないように注意が必要です。
When thawing sashimi, care is needed to prevent 'drip' (loss of juices).
Using 'sai' (on the occasion of) and 'hitsuyō ga aru'.
政府は凍結されていた資産の解凍を決定した。
The government decided on the thawing (unfreezing) of the assets that had been frozen.
Metaphorical use in a formal/political context.
解凍ソフトをインストールしないと、この形式のファイルは見られません。
Unless you install unzipping software, you won't be able to see files in this format.
Using ~nai to... (unless... then...).
電子レンジの解凍機能が故障しているらしく、中まで温まらない。
It seems the microwave's defrost function is broken; the inside won't get warm.
Using ~rashii (it seems) and 'kinō' (function).
一度解凍したものを再冷凍するのは、衛生上避けるべきだ。
From a hygiene standpoint, you should avoid refreezing something once it has been thawed.
Using ~beki da (should) and 'eisei-jō' (hygienically).
ファイルを解凍する場所を指定してください。
Please specify the location to unzip the file.
Using 'shitei suru' (specify).
細胞を解凍する過程で損傷を与えないよう、細心の注意が払われる。
Meticulous care is taken not to cause damage during the process of thawing the cells.
Highly formal passive construction 'chūi ga harawareru'.
長年の冷え切った両国関係が、ようやく解凍の兆しを見せ始めた。
The long-frozen relations between the two countries have finally begun to show signs of thawing.
Abstract metaphorical usage in journalism.
この解凍アルゴリズムは、圧縮率と速度のバランスが非常に優れている。
This decompression algorithm is excellent in its balance of compression ratio and speed.
Technical computer science terminology.
解凍のタイミングを誤ると、食材の細胞が破壊され食感が著しく損なわれる。
If the timing of the thawing is mistaken, the cells of the food are destroyed and the texture is significantly impaired.
Formal 'ayamaru' (to mistake) and 'ichijirushiku' (significantly).
アーカイブファイルを解凍する際に、ウイルススキャンを自動で実行する設定にした。
I set it to automatically run a virus scan when unzipping archive files.
Complex sentence with 'sai ni' and 'settei ni shita'.
経済制裁の解除に伴い、海外銀行に眠っていた資金が順次解凍される見通しだ。
With the lifting of economic sanctions, it is expected that funds lying dormant in overseas banks will be thawed sequentially.
Formal 'tomonai' (along with) and 'mitōshi' (outlook/forecast).
冷凍マグロを氷水解凍することで、ドリップを最小限に抑え、生に近い品質を維持できる。
By thawing frozen tuna in ice water, one can suppress 'drip' to a minimum and maintain quality close to fresh fish.
Using 'koto de' to show method and 'osaeru' (suppress).
解凍されたデータが元のディレクトリ構造を維持しているか確認する必要がある。
It is necessary to confirm whether the unzipped data maintains its original directory structure.
Technical 'kōzō' (structure) and 'iji' (maintenance).
極低温で保存された検体を解凍する作業は、生命科学の最前線において極めて重要な工程である。
The task of thawing specimens stored at ultra-low temperatures is an extremely vital process at the forefront of life sciences.
Sophisticated academic register.
外交における「解凍」とは、単なる対話の再開に留まらず、相互不信の払拭を意味する。
In diplomacy, 'thawing' does not merely stop at the resumption of dialogue; it signifies the clearing away of mutual distrust.
Philosophical definition using 'todomarazu' (not limited to).
膨大なビッグデータをリアルタイムで解凍・処理する技術は、現代のインフラを支える根幹である。
The technology to unzip and process massive amounts of big data in real-time is the core supporting modern infrastructure.
Using 'konkan' (root/core) and compound verbs.
氷河の中に閉じ込められていた古代のウイルスが、温暖化による解凍で再び活動を始める懸念がある。
There is a concern that ancient viruses trapped within glaciers may resume activity due to thawing caused by global warming.
Scientific hypothesis with 'ken'en' (concern).
そのソフトウェアは、解凍と同時に自己増殖するワームを含んでいた。
The software contained a worm that would self-replicate simultaneously with its decompression.
Technical 'dōji ni' and 'jiko zōshoku' (self-replication).
解凍後の食材の物性変化を分子レベルで解析することで、新たな冷凍技術が開発された。
By analyzing the changes in the physical properties of food after thawing at a molecular level, new freezing technologies were developed.
Highly technical 'bussei' (physical properties) and 'kaiseki' (analysis).
凍結された思考の枠組みを解凍し、新たな視点から問題を再定義することが求められている。
There is a demand to 'thaw' frozen frameworks of thought and redefine problems from a new perspective.
Metaphorical 'wakugumi' (framework) and 'saiteigi' (redefinition).
歴史の闇に葬られた真実が、新資料の発見によって今、解凍されようとしている。
The truth, buried in the darkness of history, is now about to be 'thawed' (revealed) by the discovery of new materials.
Literary volitional + to shite iru (about to happen).
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— Please thaw and then eat. Standard instruction on food packaging.
このケーキは解凍してお召し上がりください。
— To fail at unzipping a file or thawing food correctly.
ファイルの解凍に失敗しました。
— A file that requires unzipping.
これは解凍が必要なファイルです。
— To wait for something to thaw.
肉が解凍されるのを待っています。
— To check the thawing method.
正しい解凍方法を確認しましょう。
— To press the defrost button.
解凍ボタンを押すだけで簡単です。
— To thaw something over the course of a night.
鶏肉を一晩かけて解凍した。
— Storage after thawing.
解凍後の保存には注意してください。
— Auto-defrost/Auto-extract function.
このレンジには自動解凍機能がある。
— A password needed to unzip a file.
解凍パスワードを入力してください。
Souvent confondu avec
Means 'answer' or 'response'. Sounds the same but has different kanji and pitch.
Means 'solution' to a problem or exam. Also sounds the same.
Learners often mix up the first kanji with 'fast' or 'pleasant'.
Expressions idiomatiques
— For a relationship to 'thaw' or improve after a cold period.
二人の冷え切った仲がようやく解凍した。
Metaphorical— For frozen financial assets to be released.
制裁が解除され、資産が解凍された。
Formal— For a cold or closed heart to open up.
彼女の優しさに、彼の凍った心が解凍された。
Literary— To release or 'unfreeze' a budget for use.
保留されていた予算を解凍する。
Business— Revealing or processing information that was hidden or stored.
古い極秘情報の解凍が進んでいる。
Formal— For a tense atmosphere to relax.
冗談で会議の雰囲気が解凍された。
Metaphorical— To break a long silence.
沈黙を解凍するように彼が話し出した。
Literary— Resuming a suspended contract.
中断していた契約を解凍する手続きを行う。
Business— Bringing an old or dormant technology back into use.
過去のプロジェクトの技術を解凍して再利用する。
Technical— Clarifying or 'solving' a suspicion.
証拠によって疑惑が解凍された。
Literary/RareFacile à confondre
Both mean 'to melt' in English.
Tokeru is natural (ice cream, snow). Kaitō is intentional (frozen food/files).
雪が溶ける vs 肉を解凍する
Both involve turning solids to liquids.
Yūkai is scientific/formal physics. Kaitō is for food/files.
氷の融解熱
Both used for opening computer files.
Kaitō is unzipping. Tenkai is expanding/deploying software.
フォルダを展開する
Both used in cooking instructions.
Modosu is for rehydrating dried food (like shiitake). Kaitō is for frozen food.
干し椎茸を水で戻す
Shares the same 'kai' kanji.
Toku is to solve a puzzle or untie a knot. Kaitō is specific to freezing.
パズルを解く
Structures de phrases
[Object] を解凍します。
パンを解凍します。
[Object] を [Method] で解凍してください。
肉をレンジで解凍してください。
[Object] を解凍しておきました。
魚を解凍しておきました。
[Object] は解凍できません。
ファイルは解凍できません。
[Object] を解凍するのに [Time] かかる。
これを解凍するのに3時間かかる。
[Object] が解凍されたら、[Action]。
肉が解凍されたら、焼いてください。
解凍の際、[Caution] してください。
解凍の際、ドリップに注意してください。
[Abstract] が解凍の兆しを見せる。
冷え切った関係が解凍の兆しを見せる。
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Apparenté
Comment l'utiliser
Common in daily life (cooking) and work (IT).
-
Using 'kaitō' for melting sugar.
→
砂糖を溶かす (satō o tokasu)
Sugar is not 'frozen', so it cannot be 'thawed'. Use 'tokasu' for dissolving or melting.
-
Saying 'Niku ga kaitō shita'.
→
肉が解凍された (Niku ga kaitō sareta)
Kaitō is transitive. The meat doesn't thaw itself; it 'is thawed' by someone or something.
-
Confusing 'kaitō' (thaw) with 'kaitō' (answer).
→
Use context and kanji.
While they sound similar, you 'thaw' meat but 'answer' a question. The kanji are completely different.
-
Using 'kaitō' for ice cream melting on a hot day.
→
アイスが溶ける (Aisu ga tokeru)
Natural melting of something that shouldn't be melted is 'tokeru'. 'Kaitō' is a deliberate process.
-
Writing '凍' with three dots on the left.
→
凍 (Two dots for ice)
The 'ice' radical (冫) has two strokes. The 'water' radical (氵) has three. Ice is frozen water, so it has fewer 'drops'!
Astuces
Transitive Usage
Always remember that 'kaitō suru' takes an object with 'o'. You are the one doing the thawing!
The 'Ice' Radical
Notice the two strokes on the left of '凍'. This is the 'ice' radical. Don't add a third stroke or it becomes the 'water' radical!
IT Context
If you work in a Japanese office, 'kaitō' is one of the top 10 technical words you will use every week for email attachments.
Semi-Thawing
Learn 'han-kaitō' (half-thawing). It's the secret to slicing meat perfectly thin for dishes like Sukiyaki!
Read the Labels
Look for the characters '解凍' in the fish section. It helps you know if the fish is fresh or previously frozen.
Defrost Button
Locate the '解凍' button on your Japanese microwave as soon as you move in. It's usually near the start button.
Warm Relationships
You can use 'kaitō' poetically to describe a cold relationship becoming warm again. It's a very beautiful usage.
Don't say 'melt' for files
In English, we say 'unzip'. In Japanese, never say 'tokasu' for files. Only 'kaitō' or 'tenkai'.
Long Vowels
The 'ō' in 'tō' is long. Practice saying 'ka-i-to-o' to get the timing right before speeding it up.
Legal/Economic Use
When reading news about sanctions, 'shisan kaitō' means unfreezing assets. It's high-level but useful for JLPT N1.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Kai' as 'Key' and 'Tō' as 'Toe'. You need a key to unlock your frozen toes! Or, 'Kai' (solve) the 'Tō' (frozen) mystery.
Association visuelle
Imagine a block of ice with a zipper on it. When you unzip it, the ice disappears and food comes out. That is 'kaitō'.
Word Web
Défi
Go to your kitchen and find one item in the freezer. Say out loud in Japanese: 'Kore o kaitō shimasu' (I will thaw this). Then, unzip a file on your computer and say 'Fairu o kaitō shimasu'.
Origine du mot
Composed of Middle Chinese-derived kanji. 'Kai' (解) originally depicted hands taking apart an ox's horns, meaning 'to divide' or 'to solve'. 'Tō' (凍) depicts ice (冫) and the phonetic 'east' (東).
Sens originel : To melt ice or release something from a frozen state.
Sino-Japanese (Kango).Contexte culturel
No specific sensitivities, but be careful not to use it for 'melting' people's bodies in a macabre sense; stick to 'tokeru' for natural processes.
English speakers often use 'thaw' and 'melt' interchangeably for food, but Japanese speakers are much more likely to use 'kaitō' specifically for anything previously 'reitō' (frozen).
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Cooking at home
- 冷蔵庫で解凍する
- レンジで解凍する
- 自然解凍する
- 半解凍にする
Office IT work
- ファイルを解凍する
- 解凍ソフトを使う
- 解凍パスワード
- 解凍できない
Supermarket shopping
- 解凍品
- 一度解凍した
- 解凍の魚
- 解凍と書かれたラベル
Reading recipes
- 完全に解凍してから
- 解凍方法は~
- 解凍時間めやす
- 凍ったまま解凍せず
Appliance shopping
- 解凍機能
- スチーム解凍
- サクッと解凍
- 解凍が上手なレンジ
Amorces de conversation
"冷凍のお肉、どうやって解凍するのが一番いいと思いますか?"
"このZIPファイル、解凍するのにパスワードが必要みたいです。"
"最近の電子レンジは、解凍機能がすごく進化していますよね。"
"刺身を解凍するとき、ドリップが出ないコツを知っていますか?"
"お弁当のおかずは、自然解凍できるものが便利ですよね。"
Sujets d'écriture
今日、冷凍食品を解凍して料理を作りましたか?何を作りましたか?
仕事や勉強で、ファイルを解凍する時に困った経験はありますか?
美味しい解凍方法について、あなたが知っていることを書いてください。
「心が解凍される」ような温かい出来事が最近ありましたか?
日本のスーパーで「解凍」のラベルを見た時の感想を教えてください。
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsGenerally, no. For ice cream, use 'tokeru' (it's melting) or 'tokasu' (I'm melting it). 'Kaitō' implies you are restoring something to a usable state from storage, whereas melting ice cream is usually seen as a negative or natural change.
No, it is used for any compressed archive format, including .lzh, .rar, .7z, and .tar.gz. It is the generic Japanese term for 'decompressing' or 'unextracting' files.
In the kitchen, it is 'reitō' (冷凍 - freezing). In IT, it is 'asshuku' (圧縮 - compression). Both are essential partner words to learn alongside 'kaitō'.
No, 'kaitō' only means the ice has been removed. You usually need to 'kanetsu' (heat) or 'ryōri' (cook) the food afterward, unless it's something like sashimi.
It's a metaphor. A compressed file is 'frozen' (packed tightly and unusable), and you need to 'thaw' it (unravel the compression) to access the contents inside.
It means 'natural thawing'. You leave the frozen item at room temperature or in the fridge to let it thaw on its own without using a microwave or water.
It is a standard word used in both formal (IT/Business) and informal (Home/Kitchen) settings. It is neither particularly slangy nor overly stiff.
You can say 'Kono fairu o kaitō dekimasen' or 'Kaitō ni shippai shimashita' (I failed at unzipping).
In casual talk, you might hear 'niku o tokasu', but 'kaitō' is more precise and common in recipes and professional contexts.
It means 'thawed product'. This tells the customer that the fish or meat was previously frozen and should probably not be refrozen at home.
Teste-toi 184 questions
Translate: 'Please defrost the meat in the microwave.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I forgot to unzip the file.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Natural thawing is better for fish.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I thawed the chicken since this morning.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '解凍' and 'パスワード'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'This fish was previously frozen (thawed product).'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I can't unzip this folder.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'How long does it take to thaw?'
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Translate: 'The meat is not yet fully thawed.'
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Translate: 'Please thaw it under running water.'
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Translate: 'The government unfroze the assets.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write 'kaitō suru' in kanji.
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Translate: 'I used the defrost mode.'
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Translate: 'Wait for it to thaw.'
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Translate: 'It cuts easily if it's semi-thawed.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The unzipping failed.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Please use unzipping software.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I'll thaw it for tomorrow's dinner.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Don't refreeze after thawing.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The atmosphere in the room thawed.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say: 'I will thaw the meat.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Please unzip this file.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Does this need thawing?'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'I'll thaw it in the fridge.'
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Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Natural thawing is better.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'The unzipping finished.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'What's the password to unzip?'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'I'm thawing the fish now.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'It's easier to cut if semi-thawed.'
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'The microwave is on defrost mode.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'I can't unzip this ZIP file.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Say: 'Don't refreeze it once thawed.'
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Say: 'I forgot to thaw the bread.'
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Say: 'Please thaw it under running water.'
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'Is the meat thawed yet?'
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Say: 'It takes 10 minutes to thaw.'
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'I'll thaw the assets.'
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Say: 'The relationship thawed.'
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Say: 'This is a thawed product.'
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'I'll unzip the archive.'
Read this aloud:
Tu as dit :
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Listen and write: '肉を解凍する。'
Listen and write: 'ファイルを解凍してください。'
Listen and write: '自然解凍がいいですよ。'
Listen and write: '解凍パスワードを教えて。'
Listen and write: 'レンジの解凍モードを使う。'
Listen and write: '半解凍で切ってください。'
Listen and write: '解凍品は再冷凍不可。'
Listen and write: '流水解凍は早いです。'
Listen and write: '資産の解凍が始まった。'
Listen and write: '解凍に失敗しました。'
Listen and write: '一晩かけて解凍する。'
Listen and write: '解凍時間を設定する。'
Listen and write: '解凍不要の冷凍食品。'
Listen and write: 'ファイルを解凍して確認。'
Listen and write: '肉が解凍されました。'
/ 184 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
解凍する (kaitō suru) is your go-to verb for 'opening up' something that has been frozen or compressed for storage. Whether you're preparing a frozen steak (肉を解凍する) or unzipping an email attachment (ファイルを解凍する), this word is essential for daily and professional life.
- Used for defrosting frozen food in the kitchen.
- Used for unzipping/extracting compressed computer files.
- It is a transitive 'suru' verb (Object + を + 解凍する).
- Different from 'tokeru' (natural melting like ice or snow).
Transitive Usage
Always remember that 'kaitō suru' takes an object with 'o'. You are the one doing the thawing!
The 'Ice' Radical
Notice the two strokes on the left of '凍'. This is the 'ice' radical. Don't add a third stroke or it becomes the 'water' radical!
IT Context
If you work in a Japanese office, 'kaitō' is one of the top 10 technical words you will use every week for email attachments.
Semi-Thawing
Learn 'han-kaitō' (half-thawing). It's the secret to slicing meat perfectly thin for dishes like Sukiyaki!
Contenu associé
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