Translation guide
The English word "apparatus" can refer to physical equipment, organizational structures, or biological systems. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
A set of tools, instruments, or machinery used for a specific purpose, especially in science, medicine, or technical fields.
General term for a device or apparatus, often mechanical or electrical. Common in scientific and industrial contexts.
This experimental apparatus is expensive.
Refers to tools or instruments, often smaller or hand-held, used in laboratories, medicine, or daily life.
Please put away the laboratory apparatus.
Machinery or equipment, often electronic or precision devices. Used in technical and medical fields.
Learn to operate medical apparatus.
Instruments or mechanical devices, often used in medical or scientific contexts. Can overlap with 機器 but slightly more formal or older.
The surgeon prepared the surgical apparatus.
The complex structure or system of an organization, government, or political party.
Refers to the organizational structure or mechanism of an institution, government, or system.
The government's bureaucratic apparatus is complex.
General term for organization, including the structure and the group itself. Can be used for political or administrative apparatus.
System or regime, often implying the established order or structure of power.
A group of organs or parts that work together to perform a specific function in a living organism.
Equipment used in gymnastics, such as vaulting horse, parallel bars, etc.
装置 (そうち) is the most general for mechanical/electrical apparatus. 器具 (きぐ) implies smaller tools or instruments. 機器 (きき) often refers to precision or electronic equipment. Choose based on size and complexity.
In English, "apparatus" can sound formal or bureaucratic. In Japanese, 機構 (きこう) or 組織 (そしき) are natural, but avoid literal translations like アパラタス, which is not used.
Reform the party apparatus.
国家の治安維持体制。
The state's security apparatus.
Examine the function of the digestive apparatus.
Set up the gymnastics apparatus.