Translation guide
The English word 'clone' can refer to a biological copy, a technological duplicate, or the act of copying. In Japanese, the borrowed word クローン is widely used, but native terms exist for specific contexts.
Referring to an organism or cell produced asexually from one ancestor, genetically identical to it.
The most common and direct translation, used in scientific and everyday contexts.
This sheep is a clone.
Literally 'clone organism', used in formal or scientific writing to be explicit.
Research on cloned organisms is advancing.
A computer, phone, or program that functions identically to another, often a cheaper imitation.
Used for hardware or software clones, especially in tech contexts.
This smartphone is an iPhone clone.
Specifically refers to compatible hardware, like a PC clone. Common in computing history.
Means 'copy product', often with a nuance of counterfeit or knock-off. Use carefully.
That's a clone of a brand-name item.
Informally describing someone who looks or acts exactly like another person.
A common, casual term for a look-alike. Not a literal clone, but used for striking resemblance.
He's a clone of a famous actor.
Literally 'living copy', used for a person who is the spitting image of someone else. Slightly more emphatic.
The process of making an identical copy, especially in biology or technology.
The most natural way to say 'to clone' as a verb phrase. Use 作る for creating a clone.
Scientists cloned a sheep.
The verb 'to clone' borrowed from English, used in technical contexts.
Technology for cloning genes.
General verb for 'to duplicate' or 'to replicate', used for documents, data, or organisms.
To clone DNA.
Calling someone a クローン in Japanese sounds like a sci-fi clone, not a look-alike. Use そっくりさん or 生き写し for resemblance.
He's a clone of his brother.
IBM PC互換機が市場を支配した。
IBM PC clones dominated the market.
The daughter is a clone of her mother.
Literally 'clone human', used in sci-fi or exaggerated comparisons. Not for everyday resemblance.
They look so alike, like human clones.