Translation guide
The English word "cell" covers several distinct concepts. This guide breaks them down by meaning: biological cell, small room (prison/monastery), battery cell, and cell in a grid/organization.
The smallest structural unit of an organism, or a small group of people working together.
The standard term for a biological cell. Used in biology, medicine, and everyday contexts.
人間の体は約37兆個の細胞からできている。
The human body is made up of about 37 trillion cells.
細胞分裂の過程を顕微鏡で観察した。
We observed the process of cell division under a microscope.
Loanword from English, used in some technical or brand contexts, but less common than 細胞 for biology. Often used in compound terms like 'cell phone' or 'fuel cell'.
この化粧品は幹細胞セルを活性化する。
This cosmetic activates stem cells.
Also used metaphorically for a small organizational unit, like a terrorist cell or a party cell.
警察はテロリストの細胞を摘発した。
The police uncovered a terrorist cell.
A small, often bare room for a prisoner, monk, or nun.
Specifically a prison cell, a solitary confinement room. Use this for jail/prison contexts.
囚人は独房で反省の日々を送った。
The prisoner spent days of reflection in his cell.
Another word for prison cell, slightly more formal or literary.
A monk's or nun's cell in a monastery. Very specific religious context.
A private room in general, not specifically a prison cell. Can be used for a small, simple room, but lacks the connotation of confinement.
Not a direct equivalent for 'prison cell'; use only when the context is a small private room, not a place of imprisonment.
A single unit that produces electricity in a battery.
General word for battery, but can refer to a single cell. Often used in compounds like 乾電池 (dry cell) or 単一電池 (single cell).
このリモコンには単三電池が二本必要です。
This remote requires two AA cells.
Technical term for a battery cell, used in engineering contexts. Also appears in 燃料電池セル (fuel cell).
このバッテリーは6つのセルで構成されている。
This battery consists of six cells.
Literally 'single battery', a technical term for a single electrochemical cell.
単電池の電圧は約1.5ボルトです。
The voltage of a single cell is about 1.5 volts.
A small unit in a larger structure, like a spreadsheet cell, a honeycomb cell, or a small organizational unit.
Standard term for a cell in a spreadsheet, table, or grid. Also used for honeycomb cells.
エクセルのセルに数式を入力してください。
Please enter the formula into the Excel cell.
蜂の巣のセルは六角形だ。
The cells of a beehive are hexagonal.
Means 'square' or 'box', often used for cells in a grid, crossword puzzle, or game board. More casual than セル.
クロスワードのマスを埋める。
Fill in the crossword cells.
A section or compartment, used for larger divisions like a grid square on a map or a partitioned area.
Use 細胞 for almost all biological contexts. セル is a loanword that appears in some compound terms (e.g., 幹細胞セル) but can sound unnatural if used alone. Stick with 細胞 for clarity.
The English 'cell' in 'cell phone' is not translated as 細胞 or 独房. The Japanese term is 携帯電話 (けいたいでんわ) or simply 携帯 (けいたい). Do not use セルフォン, which is not standard.
囚人は独房に閉じ込められた。
The prisoner was locked in a cell.
幹細胞は多くの異なる細胞タイプに分化できる。
Stem cells can develop into many different cell types.
スプレッドシートのセルを選択してください。
Please select the cell in the spreadsheet.
監房の中は薄暗く、湿気が多かった。
The cell was dim and damp.
He quietly prayed in his cell.
彼は自分の個室にこもって勉強した。
He shut himself in his small room and studied.
Divide the map into one-kilometer cells.