Translation guide
Japanese has several words for 'preservative,' depending on whether you mean a food additive, a wood treatment, or something that preserves in a general sense. The most common term is 保存料 (hozonryō), specifically for food preservatives.
A substance added to food to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life.
The standard term for food preservatives as additives. Used on ingredient labels and in everyday conversation about processed foods.
このジュースには保存料が入っていません。
This juice contains no preservatives.
保存料としてソルビン酸が使われています。
Sorbic acid is used as a preservative.
Literally 'anti-decay agent.' A broader term that can include food preservatives but is also used for industrial products like paints, cosmetics, and wood. In food contexts, it may sound slightly more technical or chemical than 保存料.
この化粧品には防腐剤が含まれています。
This cosmetic contains preservatives.
A chemical treatment applied to wood to prevent rot, insects, and decay.
The specific term for wood preservative. Often shortened to just 防腐剤 in context.
デッキには木材防腐剤を塗る必要があります。
You need to apply wood preservative to the deck.
When the context is clearly about wood, 防腐剤 alone is sufficient.
この防腐剤は木材をシロアリから守ります。
This preservative protects wood from termites.
Any substance that prevents decay or spoilage in non-food contexts, such as for specimens, leather, or industrial products.
The go-to term for preservatives in non-food contexts. Covers a wide range of applications.
標本を保存するために防腐剤を使います。
We use a preservative to preserve the specimen.
A less common synonym for preservative, sometimes used in industrial or scientific contexts. 保存料 is preferred for food.
この保存剤は金属の腐食を防ぎます。
This preservative prevents metal corrosion.
A natural substance used to preserve food, often through traditional methods like pickling or curing.
Japanese often avoids a single word for 'natural preservative' and instead names the specific substance (e.g., 塩 'salt', 砂糖 'sugar', 酢 'vinegar') or the process (e.g., 塩漬け 'salt-preserved', 酢漬け 'vinegar-pickled').
塩は天然の保存料として使われます。
Salt is used as a natural preservative.
砂糖を加えると保存性が高まります。
Adding sugar improves preservation.
保存料 (hozonryō) is the everyday term for food preservatives. 防腐剤 (bōfuzai) is broader and often used for non-food items like wood, cosmetics, and industrial products. Using 防腐剤 for food is not wrong but can sound overly technical or chemical. On food labels, you will almost always see 保存料.
While 防腐剤 can technically refer to food preservatives, it may carry a negative nuance of 'chemicals' or 'toxicity' in food contexts. Stick to 保存料 for food unless you specifically want to emphasize the anti-decay chemical aspect.