Translation guide
The English word 'cycle' covers several distinct ideas: a repeating sequence, a complete process, a vehicle (bicycle/motorcycle), and a time period. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
A series of events that repeat in the same order, such as a life cycle, economic cycle, or natural cycle.
The most common and general word for a cycle as a repeating period or interval. Used in science, economics, and daily life.
The economy has cycles.
Loanword from English, often used in technical or business contexts (e.g., product cycle, PDCA cycle). Less natural for everyday cycles.
Emphasizes circulation or a closed loop, such as blood circulation, water cycle, or recycling. Often used for natural or resource cycles.
Means 'repetition' and can sometimes translate 'cycle' when the focus is on the repeating action rather than the period.
A full set of operations or stages from start to finish, such as a washing machine cycle, a production cycle, or a billing cycle.
Commonly used for machine cycles, business cycles, and technical processes. Often appears in compound words.
A two-wheeled vehicle, either pedal-powered or motorized.
A single complete execution of a periodic event, often used in physics or engineering.
Used for the period of a wave, oscillation, or recurring event.
While サイクル is a common loanword, it is not as versatile as English 'cycle'. For natural cycles like seasons or life, 周期 or 循環 are often better. For vehicles, use 自転車 or バイク.
cycle of seasons
周期 focuses on the time interval or periodicity, while 循環 emphasizes the circular flow or circulation. Use 周期 for 'every X days' and 循環 for 'blood circulation' or 'resource recycling'.
The cycle of the seasons is beautiful in Japan.
Natural translation uses 移り変わり (change/cycle) rather than a direct 'cycle' word.
This plant's life cycle repeats in a short cycle.
PDCAサイクルを回す。
Run the PDCA cycle.
水の循環は地球の気候に重要だ。
The water cycle is important for the Earth's climate.
History is a cycle (of repetition).
The washing machine's rinse cycle has finished.
The production cycle for this product is three months.
Refers to a process or a stage in manufacturing. Can be used for a cycle of operations.
This cycle (process) is automated.
Bicycle. The standard word for a pedal cycle.
I commute by bicycle.
Motorcycle or motorbike. Very common in casual speech. Can also refer to a bicycle in some contexts, but usually means motorized.
He is riding a motorcycle.
Motorcycle. Slightly more formal or technical than バイク.
I got a motorcycle license.
Short for 原動機付自転車, a moped or scooter under 50cc. A specific type of motorized cycle.
I go shopping on my moped.
The cycle of this wave is 2 seconds.
Used in technical contexts like 'cycles per second' (hertz).
This CPU executes 3 billion cycles per second.
毎日自転車で通勤しています。
I ride my bike to work every day.