Translation guide
The English word "collation" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: comparing texts, a light meal, and technical data sorting. Each meaning requires a different Japanese expression.
Expressing the act of comparing two or more texts, documents, or sets of data to find differences or similarities.
collation of data · collate the documents · textual collation
The most direct and common translation for 'collation' in the sense of comparing data or documents for verification. Used in technical and business contexts.
Referring to a light, informal meal, often in a religious or formal context, or simply a snack.
General term for a light meal or snack. Suitable for most contexts where 'collation' means a simple meal.
In computing, the process of sorting data according to a defined order, such as alphabetical or numerical.
Technical term for 'collation' in databases and programming, referring to the rules for comparing and sorting strings.
The English word 'collation' covers unrelated concepts. Always check the context: comparing texts (照合), a light meal (軽食), or data sorting (照合順序). Using the wrong Japanese term will cause confusion.
In Japanese, the noun forms are often used in combination with する (to do). For example, 照合する (to collate) is more natural than just 照合 in many sentences.
The collation of the manuscripts took several weeks.
データの照合を行います。
We will perform a collation of the data.
Please collate the original with the copy.
Literally 'matching against each other', used for detailed comparison, often in accounting or investigation.
To collate the account books.
Specifically used for collating manuscripts or texts in scholarly editing. Rare outside academic contexts.
To collate manuscripts.
A collation was served after the meeting.
Literally 'tea and sweets', often used to describe a light refreshment similar to a collation in social or church settings.
After the service, a collation of tea and biscuits is provided.
Loanword from English 'snack', used for very light, casual eating. Not a direct equivalent for formal 'collation'.
Snacks were served at the party.
Set the collation of the database.
More general term for 'sort order', often used in user interfaces. Less precise than 照合順序 but widely understood.
Change the collation order of the list.
A light collation will be served after the lecture.