Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for forceps depends on the context: medical/surgical instruments, tweezers for daily use, or specialized tools for childbirth or cooking. The most common general term is 鉗子 (かんし), but in everyday situations, ピンセット (pinsetto) is used for tweezers.
A hinged instrument used in surgery or medical procedures for grasping and holding objects.
The standard medical term for forceps. Used in surgical contexts.
医師は鉗子を使って異物を取り除いた。
The doctor used forceps to remove the foreign object.
A more specific term for tweezers-like forceps, often used in surgical settings. Less common than 鉗子.
手術室にはさまざまな鑷子が用意されている。
Various forceps are prepared in the operating room.
Small pincers used for plucking, handling small objects, or cosmetic purposes.
The common word for tweezers in everyday Japanese. Used for cosmetic, hobby, or light medical tasks.
ピンセットで眉毛を整える。
I shape my eyebrows with tweezers.
このピンセットは細かい作業に便利だ。
These tweezers are handy for delicate work.
Specifically tweezers for plucking hair. Often used in cosmetic contexts.
A surgical instrument used to assist childbirth by grasping the baby's head.
The specific term for forceps used in childbirth.
分娩鉗子を使って出産を助けた。
They used obstetric forceps to assist the delivery.
Another term for obstetric forceps, literally 'obstetrics forceps'.
産科鉗子は慎重に扱わなければならない。
Obstetric forceps must be handled carefully.
Long tweezers used for plating or handling food in cooking.
Tweezers specifically designed for cooking, often used in fine dining for precise plating.
シェフは料理用ピンセットで盛り付けをする。
The chef plates the dish using cooking tweezers.
Tongs, which are similar but larger and used for gripping and turning food. Not exactly forceps, but often used in similar contexts.
トングでサラダを取り分ける。
I serve the salad with tongs.
鉗子 (かんし) is the technical term for medical forceps, while ピンセット is the everyday word for tweezers. In a hospital, a doctor uses 鉗子; at home, you use ピンセット to remove a splinter.
医者は鉗子を使うが、私はピンセットを使う。
The doctor uses forceps, but I use tweezers.
The English word 'forceps' can sound overly medical in Japanese if you use 鉗子 in everyday contexts. For non-medical situations, use ピンセット or 毛抜き instead.
I pluck unwanted hairs with tweezers.