Translation guide
The English word 'coil' can refer to a spiral shape, a wound object, or the action of winding. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each use.
Describing something shaped like a series of rings or a spiral, such as a coil of rope, wire, or a spring.
The most common loanword for 'coil', used for electrical coils, springs, and general spiral shapes. Widely understood.
This coil conducts electricity.
The spring's coil is stretched.
Means 'spiral' or 'whirlpool'. Used for spiral patterns, not typically for physical objects like springs. Common in design and nature.
A coil with a spiral pattern.
Technical term for 'helix' or 'spiral', used in science and mathematics. Not common in everyday speech.
DNA has a double helix structure.
Referring to something that has been wound into loops, like a coil of rope or a hose.
A general phrase meaning 'something wound'. Use with the specific object: '巻いたロープ' (coiled rope).
Get the coiled rope.
The coiled hose is over there.
Specifically means a coil or loop formed by a snake or a rope. Often used for things lying in a circular heap.
The action of winding something into a coil, like coiling a rope or wire.
The most common verb for 'to wind' or 'to coil'. Can be used for ropes, wires, hoses, etc.
Please coil the rope.
He coiled the hose neatly.
Means 'to wind around' something. Used when coiling around an object.
Literally 'to make a coil', often used for snakes coiling up. Can be used figuratively for smoke or hair.
Specifically an electrical component consisting of a coil of wire.
Referring to an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control.
The medical abbreviation is commonly used in Japanese. Pronounced as letters.
She uses a coil (IUD).
Full formal term for intrauterine contraceptive device. Rarely used in conversation.
I had a coil inserted.
While コイル is common, it is a loanword and may not fit all contexts. For natural Japanese, use 巻いたもの or specific verbs like 巻く for actions.
蛇がとぐろを巻いている。
The snake is coiled up.
The rope is lying in a coil.
I coiled the wire around the pole.
The snake is coiling up.
Specifically 'induction coil'. More technical.
Use an induction coil to step up the voltage.