配管（はいかん、haikan）
- piping

The Japanese word 配管, read as はいかん (haikan), refers to piping, plumbing, or the system of pipes used to transport fluids, gases, or other substances. It encompasses all the components involved, including pipes, tubes, fittings, and valves. 配管 often describes the overall network rather than a single pipe.

⚫︎ 水道の配管が古くなっています。 Translation: The water pipes are old. ⚫︎ ガス配管の点検をしてください。 Translation: Please inspect the gas pipes. ⚫︎ 工場では、様々な種類の配管が使われています。 Translation: Various types of piping are used in the factory.

You would use 配管 in situations where you are discussing the installation, maintenance, or problems related to pipes and plumbing systems. It is common in conversations about construction, engineering, and home repairs. You can use it when talking about water pipes, gas lines, drainage systems, or any other system involving the transportation of fluids or gases through pipes.

配管 is primarily written using kanji and hiragana. ・Kanji: 配管 ・Hiragana: はいかん The okurigana (hiragana attached to kanji) is consistent; there are no variations in how 配管 is written.

There aren't many direct synonyms for 配管, as it is a specific technical term. However, depending on the context, you might use: ・パイプ (paipu): Pipe (general term, often used for individual pipes) ・水道管 (suidoukan): Water pipe

There is no direct antonym for 配管. It is a technical term, so there is no single word that means the opposite. Depending on the context, you might refer to: ・The absence of pipes ・The space without pipes (e.g. 無配管の空間 (mu-haikan no kuukan): pipe-free space)

新しい家の配管は、最新の技術で作られています。 ・Translation: The piping in the new house is made with the latest technology. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the quality of the pipes in a new house.

この配管は老朽化が進んでおり、交換が必要かもしれません。 ・Translation: This piping is deteriorating and may need to be replaced. ・Explanation: This sentence refers to the need for repair or replacement of the pipes.

配管 is formed from two kanji: ・配 (hai) which means "to distribute" or "to arrange". ・管 (kan) which means "pipe" or "tube". Therefore, 配管 literally means "to arrange pipes" or "pipe arrangement", accurately reflecting the concept of a piping system.