Translation guide
The process of extracting metal from its ore by heating and melting. In Japanese, the most common general term is 製錬 (seiren), but specific words are used depending on the metal and method.
The broad process of obtaining metal from ore through heat, often in an industrial context.
The standard technical term for smelting, covering the entire process of extracting and refining metals from ores. Used in industrial and scientific contexts.
銅の製錬には高温が必要です。
Smelting copper requires high temperatures.
この工場では鉄の製錬を行っています。
This factory carries out iron smelting.
Often overlaps with 製錬, but can emphasize refining or purifying metal. In some contexts, it's used interchangeably, though 製錬 is more strictly 'smelting from ore'.
アルミニウムの精錬には大量の電力が使われます。
Aluminum smelting uses a large amount of electricity.
Specifically refers to smelting by melting, often used in technical metallurgy. Less common in everyday language.
溶錬炉で鉱石を溶かします。
Ore is melted in a smelting furnace.
Referring to the actual melting and reduction in a furnace, often for iron.
Ironmaking; specifically the process of producing iron from iron ore, which includes smelting in a blast furnace. This is the most natural term when talking about iron smelting.
製鉄所では鉄鉱石から鉄を作ります。
At the ironworks, iron is made from iron ore.
Blast furnace smelting; a more technical term specifying the method.
高炉製錬は鉄鋼業の中心的な工程です。
Blast furnace smelting is a central process in the steel industry.
Describing historical or artisanal metal extraction, such as in archaeology or traditional crafts.
Traditional Japanese iron smelting using a clay furnace (tatara). Well-known in historical contexts and for making Japanese swords.
たたら製鉄は古代から行われてきました。
Tatara iron smelting has been practiced since ancient times.
A primitive form of tatara smelting done outdoors. Very specific historical term.
野だたらは山間部で行われた簡易な製鉄法です。
Nodatara is a simple iron smelting method practiced in mountainous areas.
Melting scrap metal to reuse it, not necessarily from ore.
Melting or dissolving; commonly used for melting down metals for recycling. Not strictly 'smelting' from ore, but often used in contexts like aluminum can recycling.
アルミ缶を溶解して再利用します。
Aluminum cans are melted down and recycled.
Remelting; specifically melting again for reprocessing.
スクラップの再溶解には電気炉が使われます。
An electric furnace is used for remelting scrap.
製錬 (seiren) is the general term for smelting from ore. 精錬 (seiren) often implies refining or purifying metal, and can be used for processes like electrolytic refining. 溶錬 (youren) specifically means smelting by melting. In many industrial contexts, 製錬 is the safest choice.
溶かす (tokasu) means 'to melt' but does not convey the chemical reduction process of smelting. It's fine for melting metal, but not for extracting metal from ore.