Translation guide
In computing, auxiliary storage refers to non-volatile storage used to hold data and programs not currently in main memory. This guide covers how to express this concept naturally in Japanese.
The learner wants to refer to auxiliary storage as a concept in computing, such as hard disks, SSDs, or external drives.
The standard technical term for auxiliary storage in Japanese computing. It is widely understood in IT contexts.
Auxiliary storage includes hard disks and SSDs.
Literally 'external storage device', often used interchangeably with 補助記憶装置, but can emphasize devices outside the main unit.
I use a USB flash drive as external storage.
Means 'secondary storage device', a more academic term. Less common in everyday speech but seen in textbooks.
Secondary storage is slower than main memory.
The learner wants to talk about a particular device like an external hard drive or USB stick.
In Japanese, it's more natural to name the specific device (e.g., 外付けハードディスク, USBメモリ) rather than using the generic term 'auxiliary storage'.
I save data on an external hard disk.
The loanword 'storage' is commonly used in Japanese to refer to storage devices in general, especially in consumer contexts.
The learner wants to explain what auxiliary storage does, e.g., storing data permanently.
補助記憶装置 is the broader technical term for any non-volatile storage, including internal hard drives. 外部記憶装置 emphasizes devices that are external to the computer. In many contexts they overlap, but 補助記憶装置 is preferred in formal IT documentation.
An internal HDD is auxiliary storage, but not necessarily external storage.
In casual conversation, using ストレージ or specific device names like SSD, HDD, USB is perfectly natural. Technical terms like 補助記憶装置 are mainly used in academic or professional IT settings.
This computer doesn't have enough storage.
This device can store a large amount of information.