Translation guide
A foundry is a factory where metal castings are produced. This guide covers how to refer to such facilities in Japanese, from general terms to specific types.
The speaker wants to refer to a factory that produces metal castings in general.
Standard term for a foundry. '鋳造' means casting, and '所' means place/facility. Suitable for most contexts.
この町には古い鋳造所があります。
There is an old foundry in this town.
Literally 'casting factory'. Very common in everyday speech. '鋳物' (imono) means cast metal or casting.
彼は鋳物工場で働いています。
He works at a foundry.
More formal than 鋳物工場, combining '鋳造' (casting) and '工場' (factory). Often used in technical or industrial contexts.
新しい鋳造工場が建設中です。
A new foundry is under construction.
The speaker wants to specify a foundry that works with iron.
General term for an ironworks, which often includes foundry operations. Can refer to a facility that casts iron.
その鉄工所では鉄の鋳物を作っています。
That ironworks produces iron castings.
Specifically an iron foundry. '鋳鉄' (chūtetsu) means cast iron. Less common but precise.
鋳鉄所は高温で鉄を溶かします。
An iron foundry melts iron at high temperatures.
The speaker wants to refer to a foundry that casts steel.
Steel foundry. '鋳鋼' (chūkō) means cast steel. Used in industrial contexts.
鋳鋼所では鋼の鋳物を生産しています。
The steel foundry produces steel castings.
The speaker is referring to a traditional or historical metal casting workshop, such as for bells or statues.
Historically refers to a caster or foundryman, but can also imply the workshop. Often used in historical contexts.
この梵鐘は有名な鋳物師によって作られました。
This temple bell was made by a famous foundry (caster).
Can also be used for traditional foundries, though it's a general term.
伝統的な鋳造所が見学できます。
You can tour a traditional foundry.
鋳造所 (chūzōsho) is a formal, technical term often used in writing or official names. 鋳物工場 (imono kōjō) is more colloquial and common in daily conversation. Both mean 'foundry', but 鋳物工場 emphasizes the factory aspect.
Many types of factories can be expressed by adding 工場 to the product or process. For example, 自動車工場 (car factory), 製鉄工場 (steel mill). For a foundry, 鋳物工場 is a natural choice.