Explore 溶 in everyday melting and dissolving, and in the word for a solution.
The idea
溶 has 13 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 溶ける（とける） describes something melting or dissolving; 溶かす（とかす） means to melt or dissolve something. 溶液（ようえき） uses the compound reading よう.
Examples
- チョコレートが日に溶けました。The chocolate melted in the sun.
- フライパンでバターを溶かしました。I melted butter in a frying pan.
- 砂糖がお茶に溶けました。The sugar dissolved in the tea.
- 塩を水に溶かしてください。Dissolve the salt in water.
- 溶液をガラスの容器に注いでください。Pour the solution into a glass container.
- アイスクリームが食べる前に溶けました。The ice cream melted before I ate it.
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Watch out
With 溶ける the changing substance takes が; with 溶かす the object takes を. Ice can also be written 氷が解ける or 氷が融ける; spelling depends on context.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 溶ける in hiragana.
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とける
溶ける is とける: the substance melts or dissolves.
Write the reading of 溶液 in hiragana.
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ようえき
溶液 is ようえき, a solution; learn the compound as a whole.
Choose the verb: バターを＿［溶かす／溶ける］.
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溶かす
溶かす fits because を marks the butter as the object being melted.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 溶ける in hiragana.
Write the reading of 溶液 in hiragana.
Choose the verb: バターを＿［溶かす／溶ける］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 溶 using the diagram. Cover the readings and describe sugar dissolving in tea.