Translation guide
The English word 'bottleneck' can refer to a physical narrow part of a bottle, but more commonly it describes a point of congestion or a limiting factor in a process. This guide covers both literal and figurative uses, with natural Japanese equivalents.
The loanword from English. Used in both literal and figurative contexts, but less common for the literal meaning than 瓶の首.
ワインボトルのボトルネックが割れた。
The bottleneck of the wine bottle broke.
Describing a place, stage, or factor that causes a slowdown or blockage in a process, traffic, workflow, etc.
The most common and versatile term for a figurative bottleneck in business, technology, traffic, etc. Widely understood.
この工程が生産のボトルネックになっている。
This process is a bottleneck in production.
ネットワークのボトルネックを解消する必要がある。
We need to eliminate the network bottleneck.
A more formal or technical term meaning 'bottleneck' or 'narrow path'. Often used in economic or logistical contexts. Can also refer to a physical narrow road.
物流の隘路を改善する。
Improve logistics bottlenecks.
Shortened form of ボトルネック, commonly used in business and casual conversation. Often appears in phrases like 〜がネックだ (is a bottleneck/problem).
Specifically for traffic bottlenecks, meaning 'cause of congestion'. Not a direct translation of 'bottleneck' but a natural way to describe a traffic choke point.
この交差点が渋滞の原因だ。
This intersection is the bottleneck (cause of the traffic jam).
Referring to a resource, rule, or condition that restricts overall performance or capacity.
Means 'constraint' or 'limitation'. Often used when the bottleneck is a rule, budget, or resource limitation rather than a physical blockage.
予算の制約がプロジェクトのボトルネックだ。
Budget constraints are the bottleneck for the project.
Literally 'shackles', used figuratively to mean a hindrance or bottleneck that holds things back. Slightly more emotive.
A technical term from chemistry/biology meaning 'rate-limiting step'. Used in scientific or engineering contexts to describe the slowest step that determines overall speed.
この反応の律速段階を特定する。
Identify the bottleneck (rate-limiting step) of this reaction.
ボトルネック is the safest and most widely understood term for figurative bottlenecks. 隘路 is more formal and often used in written reports or economic analysis. ネック is a casual abbreviation common in spoken business Japanese, but may sound too informal in formal documents.
Do not use 瓶の首 to mean a figurative bottleneck. It only refers to the physical neck of a bottle. Use ボトルネック or other terms instead.
高速道路のボトルネックで毎朝渋滞が起きる。
The highway bottleneck causes delays every morning.
作業工程のボトルネックを特定する必要がある。
We need to identify the bottleneck in our workflow.
Staff shortage is the bottleneck, delaying the plan.
古いシステムが足かせになっている。
The old system is a bottleneck (hindrance).