Translation guide
The English verb "combine" covers several distinct actions in Japanese. The best translation depends on whether you are mixing ingredients, merging organizations, joining forces, or blending abstract qualities. This guide breaks down the most common uses for learners.
To physically mix two or more things together into a single substance, especially in cooking or chemistry.
Combine flour and sugar. · Combine the ingredients in a bowl.
The most common verb for mixing ingredients or substances. Used for combining flour and sugar, paint colors, etc.
小麦粉と砂糖を混ぜてください。
Please combine the flour and sugar.
絵の具を混ぜて新しい色を作った。
I combined paints to make a new color.
Literally 'to put together', used for combining ingredients or components, often with a sense of bringing them into one mixture.
卵と牛乳を合わせてよく混ぜる。
Combine the eggs and milk and mix well.
A compound verb emphasizing thorough mixing or blending of multiple ingredients.
すべての材料を混ぜ合わせてください。
Please combine all the ingredients.
To join two or more companies, departments, teams, etc. into a single entity.
The two departments were combined. · They combined their businesses.
The standard term for corporate mergers or institutional consolidation.
二つの会社が合併して大きな企業になった。
The two companies combined to form a large corporation.
Used for integrating systems, organizations, or data, often with a nuance of unification.
部署を統合して効率化を図る。
Combine departments to improve efficiency.
A casual, everyday expression meaning 'to put together' or 'to combine' groups or items.
二つのクラスを一緒にして授業を行った。
They combined the two classes and held the lesson.
To unite efforts, skills, or resources to achieve a common goal.
We combined our efforts to finish the project. · They combined forces to fight the enemy.
Means 'to cooperate' or 'to combine efforts'. Very common for teamwork.
私たちはその問題を解決するために協力した。
We combined our efforts to solve the problem.
Literally 'to combine strength', a natural phrase for joining forces.
みんなで力を合わせて頑張ろう。
Let's combine our efforts and do our best.
Means 'to do jointly' or 'to collaborate', often used in formal contexts.
両社は新製品の開発を共同で行った。
The two companies combined to develop a new product.
To possess two different qualities, features, or functions simultaneously, or to perform two activities together.
The job combines my interests in art and technology. · She combines work with pleasure.
Used when something combines multiple desirable qualities or features. Often for people or products.
彼は才能と努力を兼ね備えている。
He combines talent and hard work.
このスマホは高性能とデザイン性を兼ね備えている。
This smartphone combines high performance and good design.
Means 'to serve two purposes' or 'to do two things at once'. Often used in the pattern Aを兼ねてBする (do B while also serving as A).
Means 'to balance' or 'to manage both', used for combining work and family, study and club activities, etc.
仕事と家庭を両立させるのは大変だ。
It's hard to combine work and family.
To bring together different abstract concepts, styles, or elements into a unified whole.
The movie combines humor and drama. · Combine different colors to create a unique look.
The most versatile verb for combining elements, ideas, or items in a deliberate way to create something new.
伝統と現代を組み合わせたデザイン。
A design that combines tradition and modernity.
異なる分野の知識を組み合わせて問題を解決する。
Combine knowledge from different fields to solve problems.
Means 'to fuse' or 'to blend', used when different elements merge seamlessly into a new whole.
この音楽はジャズとクラシックを融合させている。
This music combines jazz and classical.
混ぜる (mazeru) is for physically mixing substances. 合わせる (awaseru) often implies bringing things together into one mixture or set. 組み合わせる (kumiawaseru) is for combining distinct items or ideas into a new arrangement without necessarily losing their individual identities.
English 'combine' is often used where Japanese prefers a more specific verb. For example, 'combine efforts' is naturally 協力する, not 混ぜる. Always consider the context.
I traveled to Japan, combining it with study.
この部屋は書斎を兼ねている。
This room combines as a study.
Literally 'to tie together', used for linking or combining ideas, concepts, or things in a logical or practical way.
理論と実践を結びつけることが大切だ。
It's important to combine theory and practice.