Translation guide
The English word "steam" refers to the hot vapor from boiling water, but also appears in many compound and figurative uses. This guide focuses on the core meaning of water vapor and common related expressions.
The hot gas that rises from boiling water, or the misty vapor in a bathroom or kitchen.
The most direct translation for steam as a physical substance, often used in technical or general contexts.
やかんから蒸気が出ている。
Steam is coming out of the kettle.
蒸気機関車
steam locomotive
Refers specifically to the visible steam or vapor rising from hot water or food. More everyday and sensory than 蒸気.
味噌汁から湯気が立っている。
Steam is rising from the miso soup.
風呂場は湯気でいっぱいだ。
The bathroom is full of steam.
Scientific term for water vapor, often invisible. Used in meteorology or physics.
空気中の水蒸気が冷えて雲になる。
Water vapor in the air cools and becomes clouds.
The action of steaming food.
Transitive verb meaning to steam food. Often used in cooking.
野菜を蒸す。
Steam vegetables.
シュウマイを蒸してください。
Please steam the shumai.
Steamed dish or steamed cuisine.
蒸し料理はヘルシーだ。
Steamed dishes are healthy.
When a surface becomes covered with condensation, like a mirror or window.
Intransitive verb meaning to become cloudy, fogged, or misty. Used for mirrors, glasses, windows.
眼鏡が湯気で曇った。
My glasses fogged up from the steam.
浴室の鏡が曇っている。
The bathroom mirror is steamed up.
A room or facility filled with steam for relaxation or health.
Loanword from English, commonly understood.
ジムにスチームバスがある。
The gym has a steam bath.
Traditional Japanese steam bath, often associated with hot springs or public baths.
Specifically a steam sauna, as opposed to dry sauna.
スチームサウナで汗をかいた。
I sweated in the steam sauna.
Expressions like "run out of steam" or "full steam ahead".
Means momentum, vigor, force. Used in phrases like "lose steam".
プロジェクトは勢いを失った。
The project ran out of steam.
Means "at full power" or "full steam ahead".
全力で進もう。
Let's go full steam ahead.
To release pent-up emotions or stress.
Standard phrase for relieving stress.
カラオケでストレスを発散した。
I let off steam by doing karaoke.
A more traditional phrase meaning to dispel gloom or frustration.
飲み会で憂さを晴らす。
Let off steam at a drinking party.
蒸気 (じょうき) is the general term for steam, including invisible vapor and technical uses like steam engines. 湯気 (ゆげ) specifically refers to the visible steam rising from hot water or food, and is more common in daily conversation.
English idioms like 'run out of steam' or 'full steam ahead' do not use the word 蒸気 or 湯気 in Japanese. Use expressions like 勢いを失う or 全力で instead.
旅館の蒸し風呂に入った。
I went into the steam bath at the inn.