Translation guide
The English word "drill" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a tool for making holes, a training exercise, and a military exercise. It also touches on related concepts like drilling a hole and practicing repeatedly.
Referring to the power tool or hand tool used to bore holes.
The most common and direct translation for the tool. It's a loanword from English and widely understood.
ドリルで穴を開ける。
I'll make a hole with a drill.
電動ドリルを買った。
I bought an electric drill.
A traditional Japanese hand drill or gimlet. Used for woodworking. Not common in everyday conversation about modern drills.
大工さんが錐を使っている。
The carpenter is using a gimlet.
A repetitive exercise to learn or improve a skill, such as in sports, language learning, or emergency procedures.
General word for practice or training. Can be used for drills in sports, music, etc. Often combined with other words.
毎日、漢字の練習をする。
I practice kanji drills every day.
サッカーの練習はきつい。
Soccer drills are tough.
Training, often more formal or systematic. Used for drills in professional contexts like fire drills, military training, or corporate training.
Also used for educational drills, especially workbooks or repetitive exercises. Common in school contexts.
計算ドリルをやる。
Do calculation drills.
A structured military training exercise, often involving marching, formations, or simulated combat.
Military exercise or drill. The standard term for large-scale military training.
自衛隊の軍事演習を見学した。
I observed a Self-Defense Force military drill.
Military drill, specifically the training of soldiers in marching, handling weapons, etc. Often used historically.
The action of making a hole using a drill or similar tool.
General phrase meaning 'to make a hole'. Can be used with a drill or other tools. The most natural way to express the action.
壁に穴を開ける。
Drill a hole in the wall.
ドリルで板に穴を開けた。
I drilled a hole in the board with a drill.
Technical term for 'to perforate' or 'to drill a hole'. Used in engineering, dentistry, etc.
歯に穿孔する。
Drill into a tooth.
練習 (renshū) is general practice, often for personal skills or hobbies. 訓練 (kunren) implies systematic training, often in a formal or professional setting (e.g., fire drills, military). ドリル (doriru) is commonly used for educational workbooks or repetitive exercises, especially in school.
While ドリル is common for the tool and educational exercises, it is not used for military drills or formal training exercises. Use 軍事演習 or 訓練 instead.
避難訓練に参加する。
Participate in an evacuation drill.
新入社員研修でビジネスマナーの訓練を受けた。
I received business etiquette training during the new employee orientation.
Repetitive practice or drill. Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the exercise.
英会話の上達には反復練習が欠かせない。
Repetitive drills are essential for improving English conversation.
漢字ドリルを買ってきた。
I bought a kanji drill book.
兵士たちは教練を受けている。
The soldiers are undergoing drill.