Translation guide
A container for carrying liquids or other materials, typically with a handle. In Japanese, the most common word is バケツ, but traditional wooden buckets (桶) and pails for specific uses also exist.
The learner wants to refer to a typical bucket used for cleaning, gardening, or carrying water.
The most common word for a bucket in everyday life. Usually made of plastic or metal, with a handle. Used for cleaning, carrying water, etc.
Please put water in the bucket.
A small wooden bucket or pail, often used traditionally in Japanese baths or for carrying small amounts of water. Not common in modern daily life.
The learner wants to refer to a traditional Japanese wooden container, often used for storing rice, miso, or in baths.
A general term for a wooden bucket or tub. Often used for traditional purposes like storing rice, making miso, or as a bathtub (e.g., 風呂桶). Can be large.
The learner wants to refer to a large, sturdy bucket used on construction sites or for heavy-duty tasks.
Also used for large buckets in construction or industrial contexts. Often specified by material or size.
The learner wants to express an amount equivalent to a bucketful.
Literally 'one bucketful'. Used to indicate a quantity that fills a bucket.
The learner wants to use 'bucket' in expressions like 'kick the bucket' or 'bucket list'.
For 'kick the bucket' (meaning to die), the direct translation is simply '死ぬ'. There is no equivalent idiom using a bucket.
Do not translate 'kick the bucket' literally as バケツを蹴る; it will not be understood.
Fill the bucket with water.
He mopped the floor with a bucket.
Scoop hot water with a small wooden bucket.
この桶は味噌を作るのに使います。
This wooden tub is used for making miso.
In the old days, people did laundry in wooden tubs.
A pair of buckets carried on a shoulder pole. Historical and rarely used today except in festivals or traditional settings.
I saw a pair of carrying buckets at the festival.
They use large buckets at the construction site.
From English 'pail'. Often refers to a metal or plastic pail with a lid, used for storing paint, oil, or chemicals. Common in industrial contexts.
The paint is in a pail can.
I carried a bucketful of water.
Similar to バケツ一杯, emphasizing the container being filled.
I gathered a bucketful of sand.
He kicked the bucket yesterday.
The English term 'bucket list' is often borrowed directly as バケットリスト in Japanese. It is understood by many, especially younger people.
Climbing Mt. Fuji is on my bucket list.
A more natural Japanese way to say 'bucket list': 'list of things I want to do'.
I made a bucket list of things to do before I die.
a bathtub (traditional wooden tub)
English idioms like 'kick the bucket' or 'bucket list' do not translate directly. Use the Japanese equivalents provided, or explain the concept in natural Japanese.
He carried two buckets of water.