Translation guide
The English word 'compartment' refers to a separate section or division within a larger space. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on what kind of compartment it is—whether it's a physical room, a section in a bag or vehicle, a train compartment, or a conceptual division. This guide covers the most common ways to express these ideas naturally.
A separate room or enclosed section within a building, vehicle, or piece of furniture.
General word for 'room'. Use when the compartment is a distinct room, like a storage room or a small chamber.
This compartment is used as a storage room.
Refers to a partitioned area or section, often in a larger space like an office or warehouse. More formal than 部屋.
The office is divided into several compartments.
A partition or divider that creates compartments. Often used for temporary or movable divisions.
We divided the room into two compartments with a partition.
A separate pocket or divided space inside a bag, suitcase, toolbox, etc.
A separate section in a train, especially for sleeping or private seating.
Loanword from English, used specifically for train compartments, especially in European-style sleeper trains.
The sleeper train compartment was small.
Means 'private room' and can be used for private compartments on trains, like on the Shinkansen or sleeper trains.
Refers to a passenger cabin or room, more common in ships or luxury trains.
The small storage space in the dashboard of a car.
A metaphorical compartment, like a mental category or a separate part of a system.
Used for classification or division into categories, like compartments of the mind or organizational units.
He strictly compartmentalizes work and private life.
Loanword for 'category', often used when talking about mental compartments.
The English word 'compartment' covers many specific objects. In Japanese, you usually need to specify the type of compartment (room, pocket, train cabin, etc.). Using a generic word like 区画 for a bag compartment would sound unnatural.
The toolbox has compartments so you can organize parts.
Literally 'storage space', used for compartments in bags or organizers, but sounds a bit technical.
This backpack has a compartment for a laptop.
I reserved a private compartment on the Shinkansen.
豪華列車の客室はとても快適です。
The compartments on the luxury train are very comfortable.
ダッシュボードの小物入れに地図をしまった。
I put the map in the glove compartment.
Organize information by dividing it into compartments.