Translation guide
The English word "bank" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones: a financial institution, the side of a river, and a group or collection of things. It also touches on the verb meaning to tilt an aircraft.
A place where you can deposit, withdraw, or borrow money.
The standard word for a bank as a financial institution. Used in all contexts.
I withdrew money at the bank.
That bank closes at 3 p.m.
The land alongside a river.
Refers to an embankment or riverbank, often man-made or reinforced. Commonly used for riverbanks in urban or rural settings.
The children are playing on the riverbank.
Literally 'riverbank'. More general and natural for the side of a river, especially in natural settings.
A more formal or literary term for riverbank, often used in written descriptions or proper nouns.
A set of similar things arranged in a row or grouped together, such as a bank of switches, lights, or machines.
Means 'row' or 'line'. Used for a bank of objects arranged in a line.
There is a bank of switches.
Means 'group' or 'cluster'. Can be used for a bank of things that are grouped together, not necessarily in a line.
A loanword from English, used in technical contexts like 'data bank' or 'memory bank'. Not common for physical objects.
To tilt an aircraft to one side when turning.
The verb form using the loanword 'banku' plus 'saseru' (to make/let do). Used in aviation contexts.
The pilot banked the plane to the left.
A general verb meaning 'to tilt' or 'to incline'. Can be used for banking an aircraft, but less specific than 'banku saseru'.
In Japanese, these are completely different words. Using 銀行 (ginkou) for a riverbank would be nonsensical. Always check the context.
Walk along the riverbank.
川岸に柳の木が立っています。
A willow tree stands on the riverbank.
I walked along the riverbank.
A bank of elevators is lined up.
Access the data bank.
Bank the aircraft and turn.