Translation guide
In Japanese, 'external storage' is commonly expressed using the loanword 外部ストレージ or the native phrase 外部記憶装置. The choice depends on context: IT/consumer devices favor the katakana term, while technical or formal documents may use the kanji compound.
Refers to storage devices connected externally to a computer, smartphone, etc., such as USB drives, external hard drives, or SD cards.
The most common and natural term in everyday tech contexts. It is a direct loan from English and widely understood.
このアプリは外部ストレージにデータを保存できます。
This app can save data to external storage.
外部ストレージが認識されません。
The external storage is not recognized.
A more formal or technical term, often used in computing textbooks, specifications, or formal writing. It literally means 'external memory device'.
外部記憶装置としてUSBメモリを使用する。
Use a USB memory as an external storage device.
Emphasizes that the storage is 'externally attached'. Common in consumer contexts, especially for hard drives.
外付けストレージを購入しました。
I bought an external storage.
Specifically refers to an external hard disk drive. Use only when the storage medium is a hard disk.
外付けハードディスクにバックアップを取る。
Back up to an external hard disk.
In enterprise IT, 'external storage' may refer to network-attached storage (NAS), storage area networks (SAN), or cloud storage services that are external to a server.
Still widely used in enterprise contexts as a general term. It can encompass NAS, SAN, or cloud storage.
データは外部ストレージに保存されます。
Data is stored on external storage.
A formal term for external storage systems, often used in technical documentation.
外部記憶システムの導入を検討しています。
We are considering the introduction of an external storage system.
外部ストレージ is the everyday term used in apps, settings, and casual conversation. 外部記憶装置 is more formal and often appears in technical manuals or academic papers. For most learners, 外部ストレージ is the safer choice.
スマホの外部ストレージがいっぱいです。
My phone's external storage is full.
外部記憶装置の容量を増設する。
Expand the capacity of the external storage device.
Do not translate 'external storage' word-for-word as 外部の貯蔵 or similar. The established terms are 外部ストレージ or 外部記憶装置. Using a non-standard phrase may cause confusion.
外部ストレージを挿入してください。
Please insert an external storage device.
このシステムは外部ストレージに対応しています。
The system supports external storage.