Translation guide
A fixative is a substance used to preserve, stabilize, or set something. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on the context: art, biology, perfumery, or cooking. There is no single all-purpose word.
A spray used to protect charcoal, pastel, or pencil drawings from smudging.
The standard term for art fixative spray. Literally 'fixing liquid'.
木炭画に定着液をスプレーした。
I sprayed fixative on the charcoal drawing.
Loanword from French 'fixatif', used in art supply contexts. Common among artists.
このフィキサチーフはパステルに適している。
This fixative is suitable for pastels.
A chemical used to preserve biological tissues for microscopy.
General term for a fixative solution in biology. Literally 'fixing liquid'.
組織を固定液に浸した。
The tissue was immersed in fixative.
Refers to the chemical agent itself, often in powdered or concentrated form.
この固定剤はホルマリンを含む。
This fixative contains formalin.
A substance that slows the evaporation of perfume, making the scent last longer.
Standard term in perfumery. Literally 'retention agent'.
ムスクは保留剤として使われる。
Musk is used as a fixative.
English loanword sometimes used in cosmetics industry, but less common than 保留剤.
この香水には天然のフィクサティブが含まれている。
This perfume contains natural fixatives.
A substance used to set colors or firm up texture in food processing.
Specifically for fixing color in vegetables or pickles. Literally 'color stopper'.
青菜の色止めに塩を加える。
Add salt as a fixative for the green color of vegetables.
Coagulant or firming agent, used for tofu or jelly. Not a direct translation of 'fixative' but serves a similar function.
The English word 'fixative' covers many specialized substances. Using the wrong Japanese term can cause confusion. Always identify the field first (art, biology, perfume, food).
定着液は絵画用、固定液は組織用です。
定着液 is for paintings, 固定液 is for tissues.
If you don't know the exact term, you can describe the function: 〜を固定するための液体 (a liquid for fixing ~) or 〜を長持ちさせるもの (something that makes ~ last longer).
豆腐を作るのに凝固剤が必要だ。
A coagulant (fixative) is needed to make tofu.