一酸化炭素
いっさんかたんそ carbon monoxide
Why it means this
一酸化 (mon-oxide — 'one oxygen') + 炭素 (carbon) — carbon monoxide, CO (contrast 二酸化炭素).
Breakdown
- 一 イチ one, one radical (no.1)
- 酸 サン acid, bitterness, sour
- 化 カ change, take the form of, influence
- 炭 すみ charcoal, coal
- 素 もと elementary, principle, naked
Each character links to its full entry — origin story, stroke order, and readings.