Translation guide
The English word 'disk' can refer to several distinct concepts in Japanese. The most common meanings are a flat circular object (like a disc), a computer disk (floppy, hard disk, CD, etc.), and in anatomy, an intervertebral disc. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese word based on what kind of disk you mean.
Referring to any thin, flat, round object, such as a metal disc, plastic disc, or a disc-shaped part.
The most general word for a disc-shaped object. Used for things like flying saucers, discus, or any flat circular item.
金属の円盤を磨いた。
I polished the metal disk.
空に光る円盤が見えた。
I saw a glowing disk in the sky.
Loanword from English, used for many modern contexts like computer disks, but can also refer to disc-shaped objects in general, especially in technical or product names.
このディスクは何に使うのですか？
What is this disk used for?
Often used as a suffix or in compounds (e.g., レコード盤 record disc, 基盤 base board). Alone it can mean a board or flat surface, but in context it can mean disk.
この盤は磁石でできている。
This disk is made of magnet.
Referring to data storage media like floppy disks, hard disks, optical discs, or USB flash drives (though USB drives are often called USBメモリ).
The standard loanword for computer disks. Covers floppy disks, hard disks, optical discs, etc. Often used in compounds like ハードディスク (hard disk) or フロッピーディスク (floppy disk).
このディスクにはデータが入っています。
This disk contains data.
ディスクをフォーマットしてください。
Please format the disk.
Rarely used for computer disks; sounds old-fashioned or literal. Might be used in science fiction or to emphasize the physical shape.
Referring to the discs between vertebrae in the spine, often in the context of back pain or herniated discs.
The medical term for intervertebral disc. Commonly used in phrases like 椎間板ヘルニア (herniated disc).
椎間板が痛む。
My disc hurts.
椎間板ヘルニアと診断された。
I was diagnosed with a herniated disc.
In medical contexts, the loanword ディスク is also used, especially in compounds like ディスクヘルニア (disc herniation).
Referring to a discus used in athletics, or a flying disc like a frisbee.
Used for the discus in track and field. 円盤投げ (discus throw).
彼は円盤投げの選手だ。
He is a discus thrower.
Specifically for a frisbee. Note: Frisbee is a trademark, but commonly used generically.
Sometimes used in sports like ultimate frisbee or disc golf, but less common than フリスビー.
ディスクゴルフを始めた。
I started playing disc golf.
Referring to a vinyl record for music.
The standard word for a vinyl record. レコード盤 also means record disc.
このレコードは貴重だ。
This record is valuable.
Often used as a suffix or in casual speech among collectors to refer to a record. レコード盤 is more explicit.
この盤は名盤だ。
This record is a masterpiece.
Referring to the disc in disc brakes.
The full term for brake disc. Often shortened to ローター.
ディスクローターが摩耗している。
The brake disc is worn.
In context, ディスク alone can refer to the brake disc, especially in compounds like ディスクブレーキ (disc brake).
ディスクブレーキのディスクを交換した。
I replaced the disc of the disc brake.
While ディスク is a common loanword, it is not used for all types of disks. For example, a frisbee is usually フリスビー, not ディスク, and a vinyl record is レコード, not ディスク. Use the specific term for the context.
フリスビーを投げてください。
Please throw the frisbee.
円盤 emphasizes the physical shape (round and flat), while ディスク is more associated with technology and data storage. For a UFO, 円盤 is natural (空飛ぶ円盤), but for a computer disk, ディスク is standard.
その円盤型の記憶装置は古い。
That disk-shaped storage device is old.
The disc is protruding.
公園でフリスビーをした。
We played frisbee in the park.