Translation guide
The English word "arsenal" has two main meanings: a collection of weapons or military equipment, and a place where weapons are made or stored. It is also used figuratively for a wide range of resources or skills. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each sense.
Referring to a stockpile of weapons, ammunition, or military hardware.
General term for weapons and military equipment. Often used in contexts like "nuclear arsenal" or "conventional arsenal."
That country possesses a large nuclear arsenal.
Common word for weapons. Can be used for an arsenal in a broad sense, but often implies handheld weapons.
The police seized an arsenal of smuggled weapons.
Literally "weapon storehouse," but can refer to the collection itself, especially in military contexts.
An operation to destroy the enemy's arsenal was carried out.
Refers to armaments or military preparedness. Often used in geopolitical contexts.
That country continues to expand its arsenal.
Referring to a building or facility for manufacturing or storing weapons and ammunition.
Specifically a weapons factory or arsenal where arms are manufactured.
The city has a large arsenal.
Armory or arsenal as a storage facility for weapons.
Historical or military term for arsenal or ordnance factory, often used in names like "Yokosuka Naval Arsenal."
Used metaphorically to describe a diverse set of tools, techniques, or abilities available to someone.
Literally "drawer," but idiomatically means one's repertoire or arsenal of skills, ideas, or techniques. Very common in business and creative contexts.
He has a large arsenal of skills.
Can be used figuratively for skills or resources that give an advantage, similar to English "weapon."
Literally "hand of cards," used figuratively for the options or resources one has at their disposal.
Loanword from English "repertoire," used for a collection of skills, performances, or techniques.
When "arsenal" is used figuratively, directly translating it as 兵器庫 or 兵器工場 sounds unnatural. Use 引き出し, 武器, or 手札 depending on context.
兵器 (heiki) refers to military weapons and equipment, often large-scale. 武器 (buki) is a broader term for weapons, including personal arms. For a nation's arsenal, 兵器 is more precise; for a personal collection, 武器 may be better.
彼らは兵器庫から弾薬を運び出した。
They carried ammunition out of the arsenal.
横須賀海軍工廠は重要な施設だった。
The Yokosuka Naval Arsenal was an important facility.
To solve this problem, we need to expand our arsenal of methods.
Language skills are her greatest weapon (arsenal).
Let's increase our arsenal of options for the negotiation.
His arsenal of jokes is endless.