Translation guide
The concept of duplication in Japanese can be expressed through nouns, verbs, and set phrases depending on whether you mean making a copy, repeating an action, or unnecessary overlap.
To create an exact copy of something, such as a document, file, or key.
Noun meaning 'duplicate' or 'reproduction'. Often used with する to mean 'to duplicate'.
この書類の複製を作ってください。
Please make a duplicate of this document.
Common loanword for 'copy'. Used as both noun and verb (コピーする).
このファイルをコピーしてください。
Please copy this file.
More formal term for duplication, often used for photocopying or reproducing documents.
重要書類の複写は禁止されています。
Duplication of important documents is prohibited.
To repeat an action, process, or event.
Noun/verb meaning 'duplication' in the sense of overlapping or redundancy. Often used for data, efforts, or scheduling conflicts.
データの重複を避けてください。
Please avoid duplication of data.
Means 'repetition' or 'repeating'. Used when an action is done multiple times.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'doing something twice unnecessarily', i.e., wasted duplication of effort.
To describe a situation where two things serve the same purpose or cover the same ground, often in a negative sense.
Same as above, but specifically for redundancy. Can be used as 重複する (to overlap) or 重複している (to be redundant).
この二つの部署の仕事は重複している。
The work of these two departments is duplicative.
Casual noun from ダブる (to be duplicated). Often used for overlapping items or events.
複製 (fukusei) is for making a physical or digital copy. 重複 (chōfuku) is for conceptual overlap or redundancy. Don't use 複製 for scheduling conflicts or repeated efforts.
鍵の複製を作る。
Make a duplicate key.
会議の時間が重複している。
The meeting times overlap.
同じ作業の繰り返しは効率が悪い。
Duplication of the same task is inefficient.
I want to avoid duplication of effort.
スケジュールにダブりがある。
There's a duplication in the schedule.