Translation guide
The English word "cabinet" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a piece of furniture with shelves or drawers, a group of government ministers, and a casing for electronics. It also touches on less common uses like a private room or a display case.
A piece of furniture used for storage, often with doors, shelves, or drawers.
General word for a cupboard or cabinet with doors, often used in kitchens.
食器を戸棚にしまった。
I put the dishes away in the cabinet.
Loanword from English, often used for office filing cabinets or stylish furniture.
書類はキャビネットに整理してある。
The documents are organized in the cabinet.
Storage shelf or cabinet; emphasizes the function of storing things.
この収納棚は組み立てが簡単だ。
This storage cabinet is easy to assemble.
Specifically a cabinet for dishes and tableware, like a china cabinet.
祖母の食器棚にはアンティークの皿が並んでいる。
Antique plates are lined up in my grandmother's china cabinet.
A group of senior government ministers who make important decisions.
The standard term for the cabinet in a parliamentary system, especially Japan's.
内閣は新しい政策を発表した。
The cabinet announced a new policy.
Refers to the ministers who are members of the cabinet.
The outer box or housing that contains electronic components or machinery.
Technical term for the casing or chassis of a device, such as a computer or arcade machine.
この筐体は耐久性に優れている。
This cabinet is highly durable.
Also used for equipment cabinets, like server racks or speaker enclosures.
Informal; simply means 'box' and can be used for a simple casing.
スピーカーの箱を自作した。
I built my own speaker cabinet.
A small private room, often for meetings or study. (Rare/archaic in modern English, but may appear in historical contexts.)
A small room; can be used for a private study or meeting room.
彼は小部屋にこもって仕事をした。
He shut himself in a small cabinet to work.
Private room; more formal and emphasizes privacy.
A glass-fronted cabinet for displaying items, such as in a museum or shop.
Display case; commonly used in museums and stores.
宝石が陳列ケースに並べられていた。
The jewels were displayed in a glass cabinet.
Showcase; often used for commercial displays.
新製品がショーケースに展示されている。
The new products are displayed in the cabinet.
The word 内閣 (ないかく) only refers to the government body. Using キャビネット for the government would be incorrect. Conversely, 内閣 cannot mean a piece of furniture.
Because 'cabinet' has many meanings, always consider the context. If you're talking about furniture, 戸棚 or キャビネット are safe. For government, use 内閣. For electronics, 筐体 is precise.
首相は閣僚を任命した。
The prime minister appointed the cabinet ministers.
Cabinet reshuffle; a common political term.
内閣改造が行われた。
A cabinet reshuffle was carried out.
We installed a server cabinet.
The king met with the minister in his private cabinet.