Translation guide
A compact disc used for storing digital data, especially music. In Japanese, the term is almost always referred to as 'CD' (シーディー), borrowed directly from English. This guide covers how to talk about CDs in natural Japanese.
CD
Referring to the physical disc or the medium in general.
The standard term, used in all contexts. Pronounced 'shīdī'.
This CD is a really good album.
The number of people buying CDs is decreasing.
The full Japanese term, but rarely used in everyday speech. More common in technical or formal contexts.
Compact discs became widespread in the 1980s.
Referring to the device that plays CDs.
The standard term for a CD player.
My old CD player still works.
Talking about music released on CD, or comparing formats.
Used to say 'on CD' or 'in CD format'.
That album is available on CD.
Listening on CD and listening via streaming sound different.
Actions related to creating a CD.
Colloquial for 'burn a CD'. Very common.
I burned a CD for my friend.
More technical term for 'write to a CD'.
Please tell me how to write data to a CD.
Referring to a store or area selling CDs.
A shop specializing in CDs.
A new CD shop opened in front of the station.
The CD section within a larger store.
I'll look in the CD section of the bookstore.
CD is pronounced シーディー (shīdī), with a long 'i' in both syllables. Avoid pronouncing it as 'see-dee' with short vowels.
CD is not used for 'certificate of deposit' in Japanese; that would be 定期預金証書 (ていきよきんしょうしょ) or simply explained. In everyday Japanese, CD almost always means the disc.
I still buy CDs.
Do you have this on CD?