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.
このコイルは電気を通す。
This coil conducts electricity.
バネのコイルが伸びている。
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.
渦巻き模様のコイル。
A coil with a spiral pattern.
Technical term for 'helix' or 'spiral', used in science and mathematics. Not common in everyday speech.
DNAは二重螺旋構造だ。
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).
巻いたロープを取って。
Get the coiled rope.
ホースを巻いたものはそこにある。
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.
ロープを巻いてください。
Please coil the rope.
彼はホースをきれいに巻いた。
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.
The standard term for an electrical coil or inductor.
この回路にはコイルが必要だ。
This circuit needs a coil.
Referring to an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control.
The medical abbreviation is commonly used in Japanese. Pronounced as letters.
彼女はIUDを使っている。
She uses a coil (IUD).
Full formal term for intrauterine contraceptive device. Rarely used in conversation.
子宮内避妊器具を挿入した。
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.
ロープがとぐろを巻いている。
The rope is lying in a coil.
ワイヤーをポールに巻き付けた。
I coiled the wire around the pole.
The snake is coiling up.
Specifically 'induction coil'. More technical.
誘導コイルを使って電圧を上げる。
Use an induction coil to step up the voltage.