Translation guide
The English word "connection" covers many distinct ideas in Japanese. This guide breaks them down by meaning: physical links, relationships, transportation, communication, and more.
A physical joining of two things, like pipes, wires, or parts.
General term for connecting devices, cables, or networks. Often used in technical contexts.
インターネットの接続が切れた。
The internet connection dropped.
このケーブルをパソコンに接続してください。
Please connect this cable to the computer.
Emphasizes linking or coupling, often for train cars, mechanical parts, or abstract links.
列車の連結部分が外れた。
The train coupling came apart.
Used for chemical bonds, data merging, or strong unions. More formal or technical.
水素結合は分子間の結合の一種だ。
Hydrogen bonding is a type of intermolecular connection.
A personal bond, social tie, or network.
Warm, human connection. Implies a bond or link between people, often emotional or social.
人とのつながりが大切だ。
Connections with people are important.
SNSで世界中の人とつながりが持てる。
You can make connections with people all over the world through social media.
Neutral term for relationship or connection. Can be personal, professional, or abstract.
Fateful connection or bond, often implying destiny. Used in phrases like 縁がある (to have a connection).
不思議な縁で再会した。
We met again through a mysterious connection.
A scheduled transfer between flights, trains, or buses.
Standard term for a transfer or connection between transportation services.
次の乗り継ぎは30分後です。
The next connection is in 30 minutes.
乗り継ぎ便に間に合わなかった。
I missed my connecting flight.
Also used for transportation connections, especially in formal announcements or schedules.
A telephone or network connection.
Used for internet, phone, or data connections. Same as physical link but in communication context.
電話が接続されない。
The call won't connect.
Refers to the line or circuit itself. Often used for phone lines or internet lines.
A relationship between ideas, events, or facts.
General term for connection or relation between things. Often used in academic or business contexts.
この二つの事件には関連がある。
There is a connection between these two incidents.
Also used for logical connections, similar to 関連 but more common in everyday speech.
A point where electrical current flows.
General term for electrical connection.
接続が緩んでいるとショートする。
If the connection is loose, it will short-circuit.
Emphasizes physical contact for electrical flow. Often used for switches or loose connections.
A person who can help you, often through networking.
Short for コネクション. Refers to personal connections used to gain advantage, often in business or job hunting. Can have a slightly negative nuance.
彼はコネで入社したらしい。
Apparently he got the job through connections.
Network of personal contacts, more neutral and positive than コネ. Used in professional contexts.
The loanword コネクション is mainly used for personal connections (often with a negative nuance) or in IT contexts. For physical links, relationships, or transportation, use the native Japanese terms above.
つながり implies a warmer, more emotional bond, while 関係 is neutral and can be used for any kind of relationship, including negative ones. Use つながり for positive human connections.
彼女とは深いつながりを感じる。
I feel a deep connection with her.
その二つの事件には関連がない。
There's no connection between the two cases.
乗り継ぎの時間がぎりぎりだった。
My flight connection was tight.
彼とは仕事上の関係だけだ。
I only have a professional connection with him.
この電車は新幹線に接続しています。
This train connects to the Shinkansen.
回線が混み合っている。
The lines are busy.
それは今の話と関係ないよ。
That has no connection to what we're talking about.
Specifically a cause-and-effect connection. Formal.
喫煙と肺がんの因果関係は明らかだ。
The causal connection between smoking and lung cancer is clear.
接触不良でランプが点滅する。
The lamp flickers because of a bad connection.
人脈を広げるために交流会に参加した。
I attended a networking event to expand my connections.