The Meaning of seibun [成分] In Japanese

成分
せいぶん
Romaji: seibun N4

What does 成分 mean?

Translation and Meaning

ingredient, component, constituent

Definition

成分 means the ingredients or components that form a whole; it refers to the constituent substances that compose a product, substance, or mixture.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Ingredient or component of a product, such as foods, cosmetics, or medicines
  • Constituent substance in chemistry or materials, describing the makeup of a compound or material
  • Part of a whole in a broader sense, including nutritional or chemical composition

Etymology

成 sei and 分 bun, on’yomi forming a compound; the combination expresses the idea of a thing’s make-up or components.

Composition

  • 成: to become, to reach a state
  • 分: part, portion, division
  • Combined they express the idea of the parts that make up a whole

Usage

Used in formal and everyday language to refer to what something is made of; common in labeling and documentation such as 食品の成分, 成分表示, 医薬品の成分, 化粧品の成分; typical constructions include 食品の成分, この製品の成分, 成分として.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: treat 成分 as the building blocks of a whole—the two kanji suggest becoming a part and the part itself, reminding you that these are the components that form something final.

Variations

  • 構成要素 (kōsei yōso) — constituent element
  • 要素 (ようそ, youso) — element; component
  • 成分表 (せいぶんひょう, seibunhyō) — ingredient list

Example Phrases

  • この飲み物の成分は何ですか？
    Kono nomimono no seibun wa nani desu ka?
    What are the ingredients in this drink?
    Lista:
    • この (kono) – this
    • 飲み物 (nomimono) – drink
    • の (no) – of
    • 成分 (seibun) – ingredient
    • は (wa) – topic marker
    • 何 (nani) – what
    • ですか (desu ka) – is it?
    Here, 「成分」 means ingredient; the sentence uses の to show possession (this drink’s) and は to mark the topic.
成分