Translation guide
A machine or device for drying things, especially clothes or hair.
A machine that dries laundry by tumbling it in heated air.
General term for a drying machine, commonly used for clothes dryers. Often specified as 衣類乾燥機 (clothes dryer).
洗濯物を乾燥機に入れてください。
Please put the laundry in the dryer.
この乾燥機はとても静かです。
This dryer is very quiet.
Specifically a clothes dryer. More precise than 乾燥機 alone.
新しい衣類乾燥機を買いました。
I bought a new clothes dryer.
Loanword from English 'dryer', but in Japanese this almost exclusively means a hair dryer. Using it for a clothes dryer may cause confusion.
Do not use ドライヤー for a clothes dryer; it means hair dryer.
ドライヤーは髪を乾かすものです。
A hair dryer is for drying hair.
A handheld electric device that blows hot air for drying hair.
The standard term for a hair dryer. Widely understood.
ドライヤーで髪を乾かします。
I dry my hair with a hair dryer.
ホテルの部屋にドライヤーはありますか？
Is there a hair dryer in the hotel room?
An electric device in public restrooms that blows air to dry hands.
Common term for hand dryer in public toilets.
トイレにハンドドライヤーが設置されています。
A hand dryer is installed in the restroom.
Brand name often used generically for high-speed hand dryers (like Mitsubishi's Jet Towel).
ジェットタオルで手を乾かす。
Dry your hands with the jet hand dryer.
Devices for drying other specific items like dishes, shoes, or food.
Dish dryer. Often part of a dishwashing machine, but can be a standalone drying unit.
食器乾燥機があれば、布巾で拭く必要がありません。
If you have a dish dryer, you don't need to wipe with a cloth.
Shoe dryer. Used for drying wet shoes, often with warm air.
雨の日は靴乾燥機が便利です。
A shoe dryer is handy on rainy days.
Food dehydrator. Used for making dried fruits, jerky, etc.
食品乾燥機でドライフルーツを作ります。
I make dried fruit with a food dehydrator.
The loanword ドライヤー almost always means a hair dryer. If you use it to refer to a clothes dryer, you will likely be misunderstood. Use 乾燥機 or 衣類乾燥機 for clothes dryers.
In Japanese, it's common to specify what is being dried by adding a prefix (e.g., 衣類, 食器, 靴) to 乾燥機. This avoids ambiguity.
More explicit 'hair dryer'. Slightly more formal or technical.
ヘアドライヤーの温度を調節してください。
Please adjust the temperature of the hair dryer.