Translation guide
The English word "flat" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical flatness to a type of apartment. This guide organizes the most common uses for learners and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
Describing a surface that is smooth, level, and without bumps or curves.
The most common adjective for a flat, level surface. Used for tables, land, roads, etc.
この道は平らで歩きやすい。
This road is flat and easy to walk on.
Let's pitch the tent on a flat spot.
More formal or written. Often used for terrain, roads, or abstract evenness.
この地域は平坦な地形が続く。
This area has continuous flat terrain.
Loanword from English, used in casual or modern contexts, e.g., flat design, flat shoes.
フラットなデザインが好きです。
I like flat design.
A self-contained housing unit on one floor of a building.
Common word for a small apartment, often wooden or low-rise. Note: マンション is used for larger, modern concrete apartments.
駅の近くのアパートに住んでいます。
I live in a flat near the station.
Refers to a condominium-style apartment, usually larger and more modern than アパート. Often used for 'flat' in British English when the building is substantial.
Lacking air, as in a tire or ball.
Most common for a flat tire. Literally 'punctured'.
自転車のタイヤがパンクした。
My bicycle tire is flat.
Describes something that has lost air, like a ball or tire. More descriptive.
ボールの空気が抜けてぺちゃんこだ。
The ball is flat and squashed.
Used for emphasis, meaning complete or definite.
Means 'complete' or 'perfect'. Used in phrases like 'flat refusal'.
彼は完全に拒否した。
He gave a flat refusal.
Firm, resolute. Often used in 'flat denial'.
彼は断固として否定した。
He issued a flat denial.
A charge that does not vary.
Standard term for a flat rate or fixed amount.
定額料金で使い放題です。
It's unlimited for a flat fee.
Uniform, across-the-board. Often used for flat-rate taxes or charges.
一律500円の手数料がかかります。
There is a flat 500 yen handling charge.
Lacking interest, emotion, or excitement.
Literally 'spirit has left', used for flat drinks or a flat atmosphere.
このビールは気が抜けている。
This beer is flat.
パーティーは気の抜けた感じだった。
The party felt flat.
Lacking liveliness or color. Used for performances or moods.
彼の演奏は精彩を欠いていた。
His performance was flat.
Shoes without a raised heel.
Common term for flat shoes, especially ballet flats.
今日はぺたんこ靴で出かける。
I'm going out in flat shoes today.
Loanword, often used in fashion contexts.
このフラットシューズは履きやすい。
These flat shoes are comfortable.
Singing or playing a note slightly lower than it should be.
Simple phrase meaning 'the note is low/flat'.
その音、少し低いよ。
That note is a bit flat.
Musical term for flat (♭). Used by musicians.
この曲はBフラットだ。
This piece is in B flat.
In Japanese, アパート usually refers to a small, often wooden, low-rise apartment building, while マンション refers to a larger, modern, reinforced concrete condominium. Both can translate to 'flat' or 'apartment' in English, but the nuance is different. Use アパート for modest flats and マンション for upscale or modern ones.
The most natural way to say 'I have a flat tire' is パンクした. Avoid literal translations like 平らなタイヤ, which sound unnatural.
彼は高級マンションを買った。
He bought a luxury flat.
Formal term for apartment complex or multi-unit housing. Not used in everyday conversation.
この地域には多くの集合住宅がある。
There are many flats in this area.