Translation guide
For learners wanting to express 'adhesive' in Japanese, the best choice depends on whether you mean a general sticky substance, glue, tape, or a technical term. This guide covers common words and phrases for everyday and specific uses.
Referring to any substance used to stick things together, like glue or paste.
The most common and general term for 'adhesive' or 'glue'. Used in everyday contexts and on product labels.
This adhesive dries quickly.
Common word for paste or glue, especially for paper crafts or stationery. Often refers to starch-based paste.
Genericized trademark for white craft glue (like Elmer's Glue). Very common in casual speech.
Variant of 接着剤, sometimes used in technical contexts, but 接着剤 is more common.
This adhesive can also be used on metal.
Referring to sticky tape, such as cellophane tape, masking tape, or duct tape.
Referring to a sticky medical bandage or a sticker-like adhesive product.
Describing something as having an adhesive or sticky quality.
接着剤 is the broadest term for any adhesive. 糊 usually refers to paste, especially for paper. ボンド is a brand name often used generically for white craft glue. In casual conversation, people might say ボンド even when they mean other glues.
The English word 'adhesive' can be an adjective meaning 'sticky'. In Japanese, the adjective 粘着性の (ねんちゃくせいの) or 接着性の (せっちゃくせいの) is used, but it's more natural to use the noun form in many cases. For example, 'adhesive tape' is 粘着テープ, not 粘着性テープ.
I stuck the paper on with adhesive.
Please seal the envelope with glue.
Hold it down until the glue dries.
General term for adhesive tape. Covers many types.
I sealed the box with adhesive tape.
Generic term for clear cellophane tape (like Scotch tape). Very common in daily life.
Can I borrow some Scotch tape?
Cloth-backed adhesive tape, often used for packing. Similar to duct tape.
I bought packing tape for moving.
Masking tape, often decorative. Used in crafts or painting.
I put up a poster on the wall with masking tape.
Adhesive bandage (like Band-Aid). Standard term.
I cut my finger, so I put on a bandage.
Sticker or seal. Often used for decorative adhesives.
I like putting stickers on my notebook.
Noun meaning 'adhesiveness' or 'stickiness'. Used in technical descriptions.
This tape has high adhesiveness.
Similar to 粘着性, but more about bonding strength. Often used for glues.
It's an adhesive with excellent bonding properties.