Translation guide
The English word 'drum' can refer to a musical instrument, a cylindrical container, or the act of hitting something rhythmically. This guide covers the most common Japanese equivalents for each meaning, from musical drums to oil drums and drumming fingers.
A percussion instrument, typically a drum kit or a traditional Japanese drum.
The most common word for a drum set or modern drum kit. Often used in the context of bands and popular music.
彼はドラムを叩いている。
He is playing the drums.
ドラムの音がうるさい。
The drum sound is loud.
Refers to traditional Japanese drums, such as taiko. Can also be used generically for any drum, but often implies a traditional or hand-held drum.
祭りで太鼓を叩いた。
I played the taiko drum at the festival.
太鼓の演奏が始まった。
The drum performance began.
Specifically a drum kit or drum set, emphasizing the collection of drums and cymbals.
新しいドラムセットを買った。
I bought a new drum set.
A large cylindrical container, often made of metal or plastic, used for storing liquids or other materials.
The standard term for a metal or plastic drum container, like an oil drum.
ドラム缶にガソリンが入っている。
There is gasoline in the drum.
空のドラム缶をリサイクルに出した。
I recycled the empty drum.
A general word for 'can' or 'tin', but can be used for drums in context, especially smaller ones. Often combined with a material or content word.
油の缶を運ぶ。
Carry the oil drum.
The sound of drumming, or the act of tapping or beating rhythmically, such as drumming fingers or rain drumming.
Uses the onomatopoeia 'tonton' for a light tapping sound, often used for drumming fingers or a light knocking.
彼は指で机をトントン叩いた。
He drummed his fingers on the desk.
雨が屋根をトントン叩く音がする。
I hear the rain drumming on the roof.
A loanword from English, used in musical contexts to refer to the act of drumming or a drumming technique.
A part of a machine that is cylindrical, such as a brake drum or a drum in a printer.
Used in technical contexts for cylindrical machine parts, like a brake drum or a rotating drum.
ブレーキドラムを交換する必要がある。
The brake drum needs to be replaced.
洗濯機のドラムが回らない。
The washing machine drum won't spin.
Use ドラム for modern drum sets in bands. Use 太鼓 for traditional Japanese drums or when the type of drum is not specified but has a traditional feel. ドラムセット specifically means a drum kit.
ロックバンドのドラム
rock band drums
和太鼓
Japanese taiko drum
While ドラム can mean a cylindrical container, it's usually part of a compound like ドラム缶. Using ドラム alone for a container might be ambiguous; it's safer to use ドラム缶 for oil drums and similar large containers.
彼はバンドでドラムを担当している。
He plays the drums in a band.
一晩中、雨が屋根をトントンと叩いていた。
The rain drummed on the roof all night.
これらの薬品ドラム缶を安全に処分しなければならない。
We need to dispose of these chemical drums safely.
彼のドラミングは素晴らしい。
His drumming is amazing.