Translation guide
The English word 'caster' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a small wheel on furniture, a person who casts (in fishing or metalworking), and a container with a perforated top for sprinkling. It also touches on the supernatural meaning (spellcaster) and the broadcasting sense, which are less common in everyday Japanese.
A swiveling wheel attached to the bottom of furniture, carts, or equipment to make them easy to move.
The most common and direct loanword for a caster wheel. Used in everyday contexts for furniture, office chairs, and carts.
この椅子にはキャスターが付いています。
This chair has casters on it.
キャスターが壊れたので、新しいのを買わないと。
The caster broke, so I have to buy a new one.
A general word for 'wheel'. Can be used for casters in context, but is less specific. Often used in compound words.
台車の車輪が動かなくなった。
The wheels on the cart stopped moving.
A technical term for a swivel caster. Used in industrial or mechanical contexts.
この装置には自在車輪が使われています。
This device uses swivel casters.
A person who throws a fishing line or pours molten metal into a mold.
For fishing, describe the action: 'a person who casts (a line)'. Use 投げる (to throw/cast).
彼は釣り糸を投げるのが上手な人です。
He is a skilled caster of fishing lines.
A metal casting worker. Specifically refers to a person who pours molten metal into molds.
彼は鋳造工として工場で働いています。
He works at a factory as a caster.
Literally 'thrower'. Can be used in fishing contexts but is less common. May also refer to a pitcher in baseball.
投げ手がラインを遠くに投げた。
The caster threw the line far.
A small container with a perforated lid used to sprinkle powdered substances like sugar, salt, or pepper.
Specifically a sugar caster or sugar shaker. Commonly used in cafes and homes.
テーブルの上にシュガーポットがあります。
There is a sugar caster on the table.
A salt shaker. The word combines 'salt' and 'sprinkle'. Not used for sugar.
塩振りから塩を振りかける。
Sprinkle salt from the salt caster.
A spice bottle with a shaker top. A general term for any spice container with holes.
スパイスボトルに胡椒を入れて使う。
Put pepper in a spice caster and use it.
A person who casts spells or magic, often in fantasy contexts.
The standard word for a magic user or spellcaster. Used in fantasy, games, and stories.
その魔法使いは強力な呪文を唱えた。
The caster chanted a powerful spell.
A more formal or literary term for a magician or sorcerer. Often implies a learned practitioner of magic.
In gaming contexts, the loanword 'caster' is sometimes used to refer to a spellcasting character class. Not common in general Japanese.
A person who presents news or programs on television or radio.
The standard loanword for a news anchor or presenter. Short for 'newscaster'.
彼女はテレビのニュースキャスターです。
She is a TV news caster.
The loanword キャスター can mean a wheel, a news anchor, or a spellcaster in games. Context is crucial. If you mean a wheel, it's safer to say キャスターが付いている (has casters) to clarify.
キャスター付きの椅子
a chair with casters
When the caster chanted the spell, a fireball appeared.
このゲームではキャスタークラスが強い。
In this game, the caster class is strong.
A general term for an announcer or broadcaster. Can be used for radio or TV, but not specifically a news caster.
ラジオのアナウンサーが天気予報を伝えた。
The radio caster gave the weather forecast.