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B1 verb #4,500 mais comum 8 min de leitura

消化する

shouka suru Top 4,500

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas 消化する em 30 segundos

Explicação 消化する in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '消化する' (shōka suru) means 'to digest' food. Think of it as what happens in your stomach after you eat. You might see it in simple health contexts. For example, 'I eat slowly to digest well.' The kanji might look difficult, but focus on the 'suru' part, which makes it a verb. Just remember: Food -> Stomach -> 消化する.

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At the A2 level, you can start using '消化する' to talk about health and simple routines. You might say 'This food is easy to digest' (この食べ物は消化にいい). You also start to see the noun form '消化' (digestion). It's useful for explaining why you feel unwell or why you choose certain foods. You might also hear it in the context of 'using' things up, like a simple schedule, but focus primarily on the physical meaning for now.

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At the B1 level, you should expand your use of '消化する' to mental processes and tasks. This is the stage where you use it to say 'I need time to digest this information' or 'I finished all my tasks' (予定を消化した). You should understand that it's a transitive verb using 'を'. It's a key word for describing how you handle a busy life or a difficult class. You'll also encounter '消化不良' (indigestion) as a metaphor for not understanding something.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the nuance of '消化する' in professional and abstract settings. This includes 'digesting' a backlog of work, 'digesting' vacation days (using them up), and the concept of 'shōka jiai' in sports (games that must be played but don't change the ranking). You should be able to explain the difference between 'understanding' (理解) and 'digesting' (消化) an idea—the latter being more about deep internalization.

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At the C1 level, you can use '消化する' to discuss complex topics like cultural influence or artistic synthesis. For example, how a writer 'digests' foreign literature and incorporates it into their own style. You should be familiar with related formal terms like '咀嚼' (soshaku - chewing/pondering) and '還元' (kangen - resolution/return). You can use '消化' in medical or scientific discussions with precision, including terms like '消化管' (digestive tract).

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '消化する'. You can use it in philosophical contexts, discussing the 'digestion' of experiences into wisdom. You understand its role in historical linguistic development and can use it in high-level business strategy (e.g., digesting the impact of market changes). You are also sensitive to its use in literature, where it might be used to describe the 'consumption' of time or resources in a metaphorical sense.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

消化する em 30 segundos

Primary meaning: To physically digest food in the stomach.
Mental meaning: To fully understand and internalize information or ideas.
Business meaning: To process a workload, schedule, or use up vacation days.
Commonly used in sports for playing out the final games of a season.

The Japanese verb 消化する (shōka suru) is a versatile term that primarily translates to "to digest." However, its utility in the Japanese language extends far beyond the biological process occurring in the stomach. At its core, the word consists of two kanji: 消 (shō), meaning to extinguish, disappear, or consume, and 化 (ka), meaning to change or transform. Together, they describe a process where something is broken down and transformed into a usable or manageable state. This concept applies to three distinct spheres of life: the physical, the intellectual, and the logistical.

Physical Digestion: This is the most direct translation. It refers to the body's ability to break down food. Doctors use it, nutritionists use it, and everyday people use it when discussing their health. If you eat a heavy meal, you might worry if your body can 消化する properly.

よく噛んで食べないと、うまく消化することができません。(If you don't chew well, you won't be able to digest properly.)

Intellectual Absorption: Just as the stomach digests food, the mind digests information. This usage is extremely common in academic and professional settings. When you read a difficult book or attend a complex lecture, you need time to 消化する the content—meaning to internalize it, understand its nuances, and make the knowledge your own.

Logistical Processing: In business or sports, 消化する refers to completing a scheduled amount of work, tasks, or games. If a company has a backlog of orders, they must 消化する those orders. In baseball, if a team has three games left in a season that don't affect the standings, they are often called 消化試合 (shōka jiai)—games to be 'digested' or simply gotten through.

溜まった仕事を消化するのに一週間かかった。(It took a week to process/finish the accumulated work.)

Understanding these three pillars allows a learner to recognize the word in diverse contexts, from medical dramas to corporate boardrooms. It is a 'suru' verb, meaning it is highly flexible in its grammatical application, functioning as both a noun (消化 - digestion) and a verb (消化する - to digest).

Using 消化する correctly requires an understanding of its transitivity. It is a transitive verb, meaning it typically takes a direct object marked by the particle を (wo). Whether you are talking about food, information, or tasks, the structure remains [Subject] は [Object] を消化する. However, in passive contexts, you might see 消化される (to be digested). Let's look at specific patterns across different domains.

Biological Context: When discussing biology, the focus is often on the ease or difficulty of the process. Adverbs like 'うまく' (well), '早く' (quickly), or '完全に' (completely) are frequent companions.

この食べ物は消化するのに時間がかかる。(This food takes time to digest.)

Learning and Mental Processing: In educational settings, 消化する implies that the learner has moved past mere memorization. It suggests that the information has been 'broken down' and integrated. You will often hear teachers ask if students have 'digested' the day's lesson.

新しい理論を自分なりに消化する。(To digest a new theory in one's own way.)

Task and Schedule Completion: In a professional context, this word is used for clearing out a list. It implies a sense of duty or a systematic approach to finishing what has been assigned. It is less about the 'joy' of the work and more about the 'processing' of it.

今日は予定をすべて消化することができた。(I was able to get through/complete all the scheduled items today.)

Note that while 'finish' (終わらせる) focuses on the end point, 'digest' (消化する) focuses on the systematic handling of the volume. If you have a massive pile of documents, you 'digest' them one by one.

The word 消化する is ubiquitous in Japanese society, appearing in settings ranging from the extremely formal to the casually domestic. Because it covers health, intelligence, and productivity, you will encounter it daily if you live in Japan. Here are the most common environments where this word is spoken and heard.

Healthcare and Wellness: In clinics, doctors frequently ask patients about their 'shōka' (digestion). You will see it on medicine packaging for antacids or digestive enzymes. TV commercials for health drinks often boast about how their products help the body 消化する nutrients more efficiently.

この薬は消化する力を助けます。(This medicine helps the power to digest / aids digestion.)

The Modern Office: In the workplace, 'shōka' is often used regarding paid leave (有給休暇 - yūkyū kyūka). Employees are encouraged to 'digest' their vacation days, meaning to actually use them rather than letting them expire. You might hear a manager say, '有給を消化してください' (Please use your paid leave).

Sports Broadcasting: Commentators use this word when talking about the remaining games in a league. If a team has played 140 out of 143 games, they are 'digesting' the final few. It implies that the outcome of the season is already decided, and the remaining games are a formality.

残りの試合を淡々と消化する。(To indifferently get through the remaining games.)

Finally, in the arts and literature, critics use it to describe an artist's influence. If a painter 'digests' the style of Picasso, it means they didn't just copy it; they absorbed it and made it part of their own unique style.

While 消化する is a direct parallel to the English 'digest,' there are subtle differences in nuance and common errors that learners make when applying it to Japanese contexts. Understanding these pitfalls will help you sound more like a native speaker.

Confusing Digestion with Simple Understanding: Many learners use '理解する' (rikai suru - to understand) and '消化する' interchangeably. While they are related, '消化する' is deeper. You can understand a math formula (理解する) immediately, but you haven't 'digested' it (消化する) until you can apply it effortlessly to various problems. Don't use 消化する if you just mean 'I get what you said.'

❌ 意味を消化した。 (I digested the meaning - sounds odd if it's just a simple definition.)
✅ 意味を理解した。 (I understood the meaning.)

Overusing it for 'Finishing' Tasks: As mentioned, 消化する works for 'processing' a volume of work. However, you shouldn't use it for a single, creative task. You don't 'digest' writing a poem; you 'finish' it (書き終える). Use 消化する when the task feels like part of a larger quantity or a routine process.

The 'Vacation' Nuance: English speakers often say 'take a vacation' (休みを取る). In Japanese, '有給を消化する' is very common, but it sounds slightly more administrative. If you are talking to a friend about your fun trip, say '休みを取った' or '旅行に行った'. Use '消化' when discussing the fact that you still have 10 days left and need to use them up.

❌ ハワイで休日を消化した。 (I 'processed' my holiday in Hawaii - sounds like a chore.)
✅ ハワイで休日を過ごした。 (I spent my holiday in Hawaii.)

In summary: use 消化する for biological processes, deep mental integration, or clearing out quantities/schedules. Avoid it for simple understanding or singular creative acts.

Japanese has several words that overlap with 消化する depending on whether the context is physical, mental, or administrative. Knowing these alternatives will help you choose the most natural expression for the situation.

理解する (Rikai suru): Meaning 'to understand.' This is the most common alternative for the mental aspect of digestion. While 消化 implies internalizing and making it your own, 理解 is simply grasping the logic or meaning. Use this for facts and instructions.
吸収する (Kyūshū suru): Meaning 'to absorb.' This is very close to 消化 mental-wise but emphasizes the intake of knowledge. You 'absorb' (吸収) skills or influence from a mentor. In biology, 'absorption' (吸収) happens after 'digestion' (消化).
処理する (Shori suru): Meaning 'to process' or 'to handle.' Use this for administrative tasks, data, or garbage. While 消化 can mean processing a schedule, 処理 is more mechanical. You 'process' (処理) a refund, but you 'digest' (消化) a backlog of work.

Comparison:
1. 情報を消化する (To internalize info)
2. 情報を処理する (To process data/info mechanically)

こなす (Konasu): A very common casual verb meaning 'to handle' or 'to manage' a task well. If you have many things to do and you do them efficiently, you are 'こなしている'. It is less formal than 消化する but covers the same logistical ground.
咀嚼する (Soshaku suru): Literally 'to chew.' Metaphorically, it means to 'chew over' an idea. It is more literary and formal than 消化する. It emphasizes the careful thinking process before understanding.

By choosing between 消化, 処理, and 理解, you can communicate whether you are talking about biological health, mental growth, or workplace efficiency with precision.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The kanji '化' is the same one used in 'obake' (ghost/monster), which literally means a 'transformed thing.' So, digestion is essentially 'transforming' food until it 'disappears'!

Guia de pronúncia

UK ʃoːka suɾu

US ʃoʊkɑ suːruː

The stress is relatively flat, but there is a slight pitch drop after 'shō'.

Rima com

Kōka (Effect) Bōka (Fireproofing) Kyōka (Strengthening) Jōka (Purification) Hōka (Arson) Tōka (Sugarization) Zōka (Increase) Gēka (Surgery - slightly different but similar rhythm)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'sho' as a short vowel like 'shot'. It must be long.
Pronouncing 'ka' like 'kay'. It should be 'ah' like in 'father'.
Mixing up with 'shōkai' (introduction).
Treating it as a regular verb instead of a suru-verb.
Incorrectly using 'wo' when 'ga' is required in potential forms.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

The kanji are common but require intermediate knowledge.

Escrita 4/5

The kanji for 'shō' (消) and 'ka' (化) are essential but easy to stroke-order incorrectly.

Expressão oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward.

Audição 2/5

Easily recognized in context.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

食べる胃理解する仕事休み

Aprenda a seguir

吸収する処理する代謝 (Metabolism) 効率 (Efficiency) 蓄積 (Accumulation)

Avançado

咀嚼する還元する昇華する (Sublimate) 血肉化する反芻する (Ruminate)

Gramática essencial

Suru-verbs (Sino-Japanese compounds)

消化する、勉強する、理解する

Transitive verbs with 'wo'

食べ物を消化する

Potential form of suru-verbs

消化できる (can digest)

Passive form of suru-verbs

消化される (is digested)

Compound nouns with 消化

消化不良 (indigestion)

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Exemplos por nível

よく噛んで、消化しましょう。

Chew well and let's digest.

Verb + ましょう (let's).

胃で食べ物を消化する。

Digest food in the stomach.

Object (食べ物) + を + Verb.

消化にいい食べ物です。

It is food that is good for digestion.

消化にいい (good for digestion) is a common set phrase.

バナナは消化しやすいです。

Bananas are easy to digest.

Verb stem + やすい (easy to...).

ゆっくり食べると消化にいいです。

Eating slowly is good for digestion.

Condition (と) + Result.

消化を助ける薬を飲みます。

I take medicine that helps digestion.

Noun + を助ける (help...).

赤ちゃんは消化する力が弱いです。

Babies have weak digestive power.

消化する力 (power to digest).

牛乳は消化しにくいですか？

Is milk hard to digest?

Verb stem + にくい (hard to...).

今日はたくさんの仕事を消化しました。

I processed/finished a lot of work today.

Using 消化 for tasks.

胃が痛いのは、消化が悪いからです。

My stomach hurts because my digestion is bad.

Reasoning with からです.

この本は、内容を消化するのが難しいです。

This book's content is difficult to digest.

Digesting information.

昼休み中にメールを消化する。

To process emails during the lunch break.

Noun + を + Verb.

スポーツの後は、消化にいいものを食べます。

After sports, I eat things that are easy to digest.

Noun + の後 (after...).

一日のスケジュールを消化する。

To get through the day's schedule.

Logistical use.

この薬は消化を促します。

This medicine promotes digestion.

促す (to promote/encourage).

昨日の授業の内容を消化できましたか？

Were you able to digest the content of yesterday's class?

Potential form (できました).

溜まっていた有給休暇を消化することにした。

I decided to use up my accumulated paid leave.

有給を消化する (use up paid leave).

新しい知識を消化するには時間が必要です。

Time is necessary to digest new knowledge.

Noun + を消化するには (in order to digest...).

彼はそのショックをまだ消化しきれていない。

He hasn't been able to fully process that shock yet.

Verb stem + きる (to do completely) + potential negative.

今日の練習メニューをすべて消化した。

I completed the entire practice menu for today.

Using 消化 for a training routine.

難しい本を読んだが、消化不良に終わった。

I read a difficult book, but it ended in 'indigestion' (lack of understanding).

消化不良 (indigestion/lack of understanding).

ノルマを消化するために残業する。

I will work overtime to process/meet my quota.

ノルマ (quota) + を消化する.

情報を消化して、自分の言葉で説明する。

Digest the information and explain it in your own words.

Te-form for sequence of actions.

大量の注文を消化するのに追われている。

We are overwhelmed with processing a large volume of orders.

〜に追われている (to be pressed by/overwhelmed by).

この映画のテーマを完全に消化するのは難しい。

It is difficult to completely digest the theme of this movie.

完全に (completely) + 消化する.

プロの選手は過密な日程を消化しなければならない。

Professional players must get through a tight schedule.

過密な (overcrowded/tight) + 日程 (schedule).

学んだことを実生活で消化し、活用する。

Digest what you learned in real life and utilize it.

活用する (to utilize/apply).

シーズン終盤の消化試合は観客が少ない。

There are few spectators for the 'digestion games' at the end of the season.

消化試合 (games played only to complete the schedule).

予算を年度内に消化する必要がある。

It is necessary to spend/use up the budget within the fiscal year.

予算を消化する (to use up a budget).

彼は先輩のアドバイスをうまく消化して成長した。

He successfully digested his senior's advice and grew.

うまく (well/successfully).

このシステムは大量のデータを高速で消化する。

This system processes a large amount of data at high speed.

高速で (at high speed).

読書はただ読むだけでなく、消化することが大切だ。

In reading, it's not just about reading, but digesting that is important.

〜だけでなく (not only...).

彼は西洋哲学を独自に消化し、新たな境地を開いた。

He digested Western philosophy in his own way and opened up new horizons.

独自に (uniquely/in one's own way).

膨大な資料を消化しきれず、レポートが遅れた。

I couldn't fully digest the vast amount of materials, so the report was delayed.

Verb stem + きれず (unable to finish/completely...).

その劇団は伝統芸能を現代的に消化して上演した。

The theater company digested traditional arts in a modern way and performed them.

現代的に (in a modern way).

組織が急拡大し、新しい文化を消化するのに苦労している。

The organization is expanding rapidly and struggling to digest the new culture.

〜のに苦労している (struggling to...).

この薬物は肝臓で代謝・消化される。

This drug is metabolized and digested in the liver.

Passive voice (される).

過去の失敗を消化して、糧にする。

Digest past failures and turn them into nourishment (for growth).

糧にする (to turn into food/resource).

彼は受けた批判を冷静に消化し、改善に繋げた。

He calmly digested the criticism he received and linked it to improvement.

冷静に (calmly).

市場の変動を消化するまで、投資は見合わせる。

We will withhold investment until the market digests the fluctuations.

見合わせる (to postpone/withhold).

その作家の文体には、古今東西の文学が高度に消化されている。

In that author's style, literature from all times and places is highly digested.

高度に (highly/to a high degree).

情報過多の現代において、真に情報を消化する力とは何か。

In today's information-overloaded age, what is the power to truly digest information?

〜において (in/at - formal context).

悲劇的な経験をいかに消化し、自己のアイデンティティに組み込むか。

How to digest tragic experiences and incorporate them into one's identity.

いかに〜か (how one does...).

企業の合併後、異なるシステムを完全に消化するには数年を要する。

After a corporate merger, it takes several years to completely digest different systems.

〜を要する (to require).

彼は師の教えを単なる模倣ではなく、血肉化するまで消化した。

He digested his master's teachings until they became his own flesh and blood, not mere imitation.

血肉化する (to become flesh and blood/part of oneself).

社会がこの急進的な変化を消化しきるには、対話が必要だ。

For society to fully digest this radical change, dialogue is necessary.

消化しきる (to digest completely).

その理論はまだ学界で十分に消化されているとは言い難い。

It is hard to say that the theory has been sufficiently digested in the academic world.

〜とは言い難い (it is hard to say that...).

歴史の重みを消化し、未来への教訓を導き出す。

Digest the weight of history and derive lessons for the future.

導き出す (to derive/draw out).

Colocações comuns

消化にいい

有給を消化する

仕事を消化する

知識を消化する

消化を助ける

ノルマを消化する

予定を消化する

消化不良を起こす

試合を消化する

予算を消化する

Frases Comuns

消化がいい

— Something that is easy to digest. Used for food like porridge or soup.

風邪の時は消化がいいものを食べなさい。

消化が悪い

— Something hard to digest. Can refer to heavy food or a slow metabolic process.

揚げ物は消化が悪い。

消化試合

— A game that has no impact on the final standings. A 'formality' game.

優勝が決まった後の試合は消化試合だ。

消化不良

— Indigestion. Also used when someone fails to understand a difficult concept.

この本は難しすぎて消化不良だ。

有給消化

— The act of using up one's paid vacation days.

うちは有給消化率が高い会社です。

消化を促す

— To promote or speed up digestion.

食後の運動は消化を促す。

消化を助ける

— To assist the digestive process.

大根おろしは消化を助けます。

消化しきれない

— To be unable to fully process or understand something due to volume or difficulty.

情報が多すぎて消化しきれない。

ノルマ消化

— Fulfilling a required quota or target.

ノルマ消化のために必死だ。

自分なりに消化する

— To internalize something in one's own way.

教わったことを自分なりに消化する。

Frequentemente confundido com

消化する vs 紹介 (Shōkai)

Introduction. Sounds similar but completely different meaning.

消化する vs 消去 (Shōkyo)

Erasure/Deletion. Both use 'shō', but shōkyo is for deleting files or data, not 'digesting' them.

消化する vs 昇華 (Shōka)

Sublimation. Sounds identical. Shōka (昇華) is for turning a solid to gas or turning a base impulse into a noble one.

Expressões idiomáticas

"血肉となる"

— To become part of one's flesh and blood. Often used after 'digesting' knowledge.

読んだ本の内容が消化され、彼の血肉となった。

Literary

"腹に落ちる"

— To settle in the belly. Means to fully understand or be convinced of something.

彼の説明を聞いて、ようやく腹に落ちた。

Idiomatic

"噛み砕く"

— To bite and crush. Metaphorically, to explain something complex in simple terms so others can digest it.

難しい話を噛み砕いて説明する。

Common

"鵜呑みにする"

— To swallow whole like a cormorant. The opposite of digesting; to accept information without thinking/processing it.

ニュースを鵜呑みにしてはいけない。

Common

"胸につかえる"

— To be stuck in the chest. Refers to something that isn't being 'digested' emotionally or physically.

言いたいことが胸につかえている。

Common

"身に付く"

— To stick to the body. The result of successfully 'digesting' a skill.

練習して技術が身に付いた。

Common

"胃が受け付けない"

— The stomach won't accept it. Used for food or situations one cannot tolerate.

彼の態度は胃が受け付けないほど嫌だ。

Colloquial

"消化を待つ"

— To wait for digestion. Often used metaphorically for letting a situation settle.

今は時期尚早だ。事態の消化を待とう。

Formal

"腑に落ちる"

— To fall into the viscera. Similar to 'hara ni ochiru', meaning to finally understand.

その理由は腑に落ちない。

Standard

"飲み込みが早い"

— Quick to swallow. Means someone is a fast learner (digests info quickly).

彼は飲み込みが早い新人だ。

Common

Fácil de confundir

消化する vs 理解する

Both involve the mind.

Rikai is grasping the logic; Shōka is internalizing it so it becomes part of you.

数式を理解したが、まだ消化できていない。

消化する vs 処理する

Both involve tasks.

Shori is the act of handling; Shōka is the act of getting through a volume/schedule.

メールを処理する vs 仕事を消化する。

消化する vs 吸収する

Both involve intake.

Kyūshū is the intake (sponge); Shōka is the breakdown/processing.

知識を吸収し、消化する。

消化する vs こなす

Both mean handling tasks.

Konasu is more casual and focuses on the skill of doing it; Shōka is more about the volume/plan.

難しい役をこなす。

消化する vs 完了する

Both mean finishing.

Kanryō focuses on the end state; Shōka focuses on the process of getting through the bulk.

工事が完了した。

Padrões de frases

[Food] は消化にいいです。

おかゆは消化にいいです。

[Task/Time] を消化する。

有給を消化する。

[Info] を自分なりに消化する。

教わったことを自分なりに消化する。

[Info] を消化しきれない。

情報を消化しきれない。

消化不良に終わる。

その会議は消化不良に終わった。

[Input] を [Output] として消化する。

過去の経験を糧として消化する。

[System] が [Data] を消化する。

コンピューターがデータを消化する。

[Subject] は [Influence] を高度に消化している。

彼の作品は伝統を高度に消化している。

Família de palavras

Substantivos

消化 (Digestion)

消化器 (Digestive organs)

消化液 (Digestive juices)

消化酵素 (Digestive enzymes)

消化管 (Digestive tract)

Verbos

消化する (To digest)

消化される (To be digested)

消化させる (To make/let digest)

Adjetivos

消化的な (Digestive - rare)

消化しやすい (Easy to digest)

消化しにくい (Hard to digest)

Relacionado

消える (To disappear)

消す (To erase/extinguish)

変化 (Change)

化粧 (Makeup/Transformation)

解消 (Resolution/Cancellation)

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Como usar

frequency

High (Top 2000 words in many corpora)

Erros comuns

Using '消化' for deleting a file. → 消去 (shōkyo)
消化 is biological or mental; 消去 is for data or physical deletion.
Saying '消化をわかる' instead of '消化を理解する'. → 消化を理解する / 内容を消化する
消化 is the process itself; you don't 'know' digestion, you 'do' it or 'understand' the concept.
Using 消化する for a fun holiday experience. → 休みを楽しむ / 休みを過ごす
消化 sounds administrative. Use it for 'using up' days, not for the fun you had.
Confusing 消化 (shōka) with 紹介 (shōkai). → 消化 (digestion), 紹介 (introduction)
Watch the extra 'i' in shōkai.
Using 消化 for physical melting like ice. → 溶ける (tokeru)
Ice melts (tokeru), it doesn't digest.

Dicas

Think of Volume

Always use 消化する when there's a sense of 'quantity' to be handled, like a pile of books or a week of work.

Set Phrase

Memorize '消化にいい' (good for digestion). It's incredibly useful in restaurants or when you're sick.

Vacation Talk

Use '有給消化' when discussing the administrative side of taking your paid leave.

Transitivity

Remember it's a transitive verb. You digest 'something' (Object を消化する).

Beyond Understanding

Use it for learning when you want to emphasize that the knowledge has become part of your skillset.

Kanji Clue

The kanji 消 (extinguish) + 化 (change) helps you remember it's about making something 'disappear' by 'changing' it.

Sports News

Listen for 'shōka jiai' at the end of baseball or soccer seasons to hear it in a logistical context.

Intellectual Tone

Using '消化しきれていない' makes you sound thoughtful and honest about a difficult topic.

Compound Power

Using compounds like '消化器' or '消化不良' can elevate your medical or formal Japanese.

The 'Suru' Factor

Since it's a suru-verb, you can easily turn the noun '消化' into an action. Just add 'suru'!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'SHO'w and 'KA'rmel. You 'SHO'w the food a 'KA'rmel-like transformation in your stomach until it's gone.

Associação visual

Imagine a conveyor belt (the digestive tract) where raw materials (food/tasks) are being broken down by little robots into small energy cubes.

Word Web

Food Knowledge Tasks Stomach Understanding Processing Vacation Schedule

Desafio

Try to use '消化する' in three different ways today: once for your lunch, once for a Japanese grammar point you learned, and once for a chore you finished.

Origem da palavra

Composed of two Chinese characters (Kanji) imported into Japanese. '消' (shō) originally depicted water and a person, meaning to melt or disappear. '化' (ka) depicted a person standing and another upside down, symbolizing change or transformation.

Significado original: To cause something to disappear by transforming it.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that '消化不良' (indigestion) is a common way to politely say you didn't understand someone's complex explanation.

English speakers use 'digest' similarly for food and info, but rarely for 'vacation' or 'budget'. In English, we 'use up' a budget, while Japanese 'digest' it.

Medical manga like 'Black Jack' often use this term. Business books on 'Time Management' frequently discuss 'task digestion'. Sports news headlines during the end of the NPB (Japanese Baseball) season.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

At a Restaurant / Health Talk

消化にいいもの
消化を助ける
消化が悪い
胃腸の調子

In a Classroom / Studying

内容を消化する
知識の消化
消化不良
自分なりに消化

At the Office

有給を消化する
仕事を消化する
ノルマの消化
スケジュールを消化

Watching Sports

消化試合
日程を消化
残りの試合
淡々と消化

Medical / Pharmacy

消化器系
消化を促す薬
消化管
消化酵素

Iniciadores de conversa

"最近、仕事のノルマを消化できていますか？ (Have you been able to process your work quota lately?)"

"消化にいい食べ物といえば、何が思い浮かびますか？ (When you think of food that's good for digestion, what comes to mind?)"

"今年中に有給休暇を全部消化する予定ですか？ (Do you plan to use up all your paid leave by the end of the year?)"

"この難しい本、どうやって消化すればいいと思いますか？ (How do you think I should go about digesting this difficult book?)"

"スポーツで、応援しているチームに消化試合はありますか？ (In sports, does the team you support have any 'digestion games' left?)"

Temas para diário

今日一日で消化したタスクをリストアップしてみましょう。 (List the tasks you 'digested' today.)

最近学んだことで、まだ十分に消化できていないことは何ですか？ (What is something you learned recently that you haven't fully digested yet?)

有給休暇をどのように消化したいか、理想のプランを書いてください。 (Write an ideal plan for how you want to 'digest' your paid leave.)

自分の「消化する力（理解力や処理能力）」を向上させるために何をしますか？ (What will you do to improve your 'power to digest' (understanding or processing ability)?)

体に優しい、消化にいい食事のメニューを考えてみましょう。 (Think of a meal menu that is kind to the body and good for digestion.)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It's better to use '終わらせる' or '完了する' for a single task. '消化する' implies there is a volume of work or a schedule you are working through.

Yes, in gaming or internet culture, people might say they are 'digesting' a backlog of games or anime, meaning they are watching/playing through them systematically.

It means the meeting was inconclusive, or the participants couldn't fully grasp or agree on the points discussed. It felt 'undigested'.

You say '消化にいい' (shōka ni ii) or '消化しやすい' (shōka shiyasui).

Yes, you can 'digest' a shock or a sad experience, meaning you have come to terms with it and processed your feelings.

It is a neutral-to-formal word. It's perfectly fine in business, but for very casual talk about 'understanding', 'わかる' is more common.

It is a game in a sports league that must be played for the schedule, but has no effect on who wins the championship.

消化 (shōka) is digestion (breaking down food). 代謝 (taisha) is metabolism (the chemical processes that happen in the body to maintain life).

Yes, '予算を消化する' (yosan wo shōka suru) means to spend the allocated budget before a deadline.

Yes, it is 'shō' (long o), not 'sho' (short o). Pronouncing it short might make it sound like 'shoka' (early summer).

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