Translation guide
The English word 'conversion' covers several distinct ideas: changing units or formats, religious or ideological change, a successful point in sports, and more. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Changing from one unit, currency, file format, or system to another.
The most common and general term for converting data, units, formats, or energy. Used in technical and everyday contexts.
ファイルをPDFに変換する。
Convert the file to PDF.
単位を変換する。
Convert the units.
Specifically for converting between units of measurement or currencies, often involving a calculation or exchange rate.
ドルを円に換算する。
Convert dollars to yen.
キロメートルをマイルに換算する。
Convert kilometers to miles.
Loanword from English, used mainly in IT contexts like file conversion or data type conversion. Sounds technical.
データをCSV形式にコンバートする。
Convert the data to CSV format.
Adopting a new religion, belief system, or political ideology.
Specifically for religious conversion. The noun form; the verb is 改宗する.
彼はキリスト教に改宗した。
He converted to Christianity.
Changing one's ideological or political stance, often under pressure. Can carry a nuance of recanting previous beliefs.
A more spiritual or internal conversion, often used in Christian contexts for a change of heart. Less common in daily speech.
In rugby or American football, scoring additional points after a try or touchdown.
The standard loanword used in rugby and sometimes American football for a conversion kick.
彼はコンバージョンを決めた。
He kicked the conversion.
Refers to the kick itself, often used interchangeably with conversion in rugby contexts.
Transforming something into a different state or purpose, like a building or vehicle.
Remodeling or modifying something physically, like a car, building, or machine. Implies structural change.
バンをキャンピングカーに改造する。
Convert a van into a camper.
Diverting something from its original purpose to another use, often without physical alteration. Common for buildings or funds.
In logic, interchanging subject and predicate; in math, transforming an expression.
変換 is the general term for conversion of any kind (data, format, energy). 換算 is specifically for unit/currency conversion involving a calculation. コンバート is a loanword used mainly in IT and sports.
通貨を換算する（変換 is not wrong but 換算 is more precise）。
Convert currency (変換 is not wrong but 換算 is more precise).
変換 is for data/units, not for changing religion. Use 改宗 for religious conversion.
✕ キリスト教に変換する → ○ キリスト教に改宗する
Wrong: convert to Christianity using 変換 → Correct: use 改宗
彼は共産主義から転向した。
He converted from communism (abandoned his communist beliefs).
彼女は回心して洗礼を受けた。
She experienced conversion and was baptized.
The conversion was successful.
倉庫をオフィスに転用する。
Convert a warehouse into an office.
Loanword used in real estate or architecture for converting buildings, e.g., condo conversion.
マンションへのコンバージョンが進んでいる。
Conversions into condominiums are progressing.
式を変換する。
Convert the expression.