添加物（てんかぶつ、tenkabutsu）
- additives

The Japanese word 添加物 (てんかぶつ, *tenkabutsu*) refers to “additives,” "food additives," or "ingredients." It specifically pertains to substances intentionally added to food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or other products to enhance their properties. These additives can serve various purposes, such as preserving shelf life, improving flavor, altering color, or modifying texture. They are present in small amounts and designed to achieve specific effects. 添加物添加物 can be either natural or synthetic.

⚫︎この食品には多くの添加物が含まれています。 Translation: This food contains many additives. ⚫︎添加物の表示を確認してください。 Translation: Please check the label for additives. ⚫︎無添加物の食品を探しています。 Translation: I am looking for food without additives.

You use 添加物 in various contexts, especially when discussing food products and their ingredients. It is common when talking about food labels, discussing health concerns, or making dietary choices. It can also be used in discussions about cosmetics and other products. It's important to use it when you are questioning or mentioning the ingredients of food products.

⚫︎The word 添加物 is typically written in kanji and hiragana: 添加物 (てんかぶつ). ⚫︎There is only one way to write the word 添加物 in general usage. ⚫︎The okurigana (送りがな, or suffix hiragana) is usually "か".

⚫︎ 成分 (せいぶん, *seibun*) – "ingredients," "components." This is a broader term and can include more than just additives. ⚫︎ 材料 (ざいりょう, *zairyou*) – "materials," "ingredients." Similar to 成分, a broader term. ⚫︎食品添加物 (しょくひんてんかぶつ, *shokuhin tenkabutsu*) – "food additives" (a more specific term).

⚫︎ 自然 (しぜん, *shizen*) – "natural." Can be used in contrast to synthetic additives. ⚫︎ 無添加 (むてんか, *mutenka*) – "additive-free." This is a common term used to describe products that do not contain additives.

このお菓子は着色料などの添加物が少ないので、子供にも安心です。 ・Translation: This candy is safe for children because it contains few additives like coloring agents. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the positive attribute of a product (candy) that has fewer additives, which makes it safe for consumption by children.

健康のために、添加物を避けた食事を心がけています。 ・Translation: I am mindful of eating foods that avoid additives for the sake of my health. ・Explanation: This sentence expresses a conscious effort to select foods without additives to prioritize health and well-being.

The word 添加物 is a combination of two kanji: 添加 (てんか, *tenka*) meaning "addition" or "supplement," and 物 (ぶつ, *butsu*) meaning "thing" or "object." Therefore, the literal meaning of 添加物 is "added things."