Translation guide
A cylindrical object made of cardboard, such as the core of a toilet paper roll, paper towel roll, or a mailing tube.
toilet paper tube
mailing tube
The cylindrical cardboard core left after using up paper products or used for crafts.
General word for 'core' or 'tube' inside a roll. Often used in compounds.
toilet paper tube
plastic wrap tube
Literally 'paper tube'. A more technical term, used in manufacturing or crafts.
do crafts using cardboard tubes
Descriptive phrase: 'tube made of cardboard'. Understandable but not a common set phrase.
I'm collecting cardboard tubes.
A thick, rigid cardboard tube used for shipping posters, documents, or artwork.
General word for 'tube' or 'cylinder'. Often used for mailing tubes when context is clear.
send a poster in a tube
Specifically a 'tube for mailing'.
buy a mailing tube
Corrugated cardboard tube, often used for heavy-duty shipping.
put blueprints in a cardboard tube
The literal translation 「ボール紙の筒」 is rarely used. Instead, specify the type of tube (e.g., トイレットペーパーの芯 for toilet paper roll, 筒 for mailing tube).