Translation guide
The English verb "dissolve" has several distinct meanings, from physical dissolution to the ending of organizations or relationships. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese equivalents for each sense.
To cause a solid to mix into a liquid and become part of it, or to do so on its own.
Transitive verb: to dissolve something (e.g., sugar in water).
砂糖をお湯に溶かしてください。
Please dissolve the sugar in hot water.
Intransitive verb: for a solid to dissolve (e.g., sugar dissolves).
砂糖が水に溶けた。
The sugar dissolved in the water.
Formal/technical term for dissolving, used in scientific contexts.
この物質は水に溶解しやすい。
This substance dissolves easily in water.
To officially end an organization, committee, or formal group.
Used for dissolving parliaments, committees, bands, etc.
国会が解散された。
The parliament was dissolved.
そのバンドは去年解散した。
That band broke up last year.
To dismantle or break up an organization, often implying a more thorough or physical disbanding.
その組織は解体された。
The organization was dissolved.
To formally end a marriage or partnership.
Common for dissolving marriages, contracts, or relationships.
二人は結婚を解消した。
They dissolved their marriage.
Specifically means to divorce. More direct than "dissolve a marriage."
彼らは離婚した。
They got divorced.
To fade away or vanish slowly, such as feelings, fog, or a crowd.
General verb for disappearing; can be used for fog, feelings, etc.
To melt into or blend into the surroundings, often used for people or scenery.
Formal/literary term for dissipating or vanishing, used for clouds, smoke, worries.
雲が消散した。
The clouds dissolved.
A gradual transition from one image to another.
Loanword from English, used in film/video editing.
次のシーンにディゾルブする。
Dissolve to the next scene.
Fade-out (literally 'melt-dark'), sometimes used for dissolve to black.
画面が溶暗した。
The screen dissolved to black.
溶かす (tokasu) is transitive (someone dissolves something), while 溶ける (tokeru) is intransitive (something dissolves on its own). Be careful not to mix them up.
溶かす (tokasu) only means physical dissolution. For dissolving a group or marriage, use 解散する or 解消する.
彼は人混みに溶け込んだ。
He dissolved into the crowd.