Translation guide
The English word "glass" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese: the material, a drinking vessel, a window pane, and eyewear. The most common translation depends on context.
A container for drinking, typically made of glass but sometimes plastic or other materials.
The most common word for a glass used for drinking, especially for cold beverages like water, juice, or alcohol. It implies a certain shape and material (usually glass).
水をグラスに注いでください。
Please pour water into the glass.
ワイングラスを割ってしまった。
I broke a wine glass.
A more general word for a cup or tumbler, often made of glass, plastic, or metal. It can refer to a wider range of drinking vessels than グラス, including those without a stem. Commonly used for everyday cups.
コップに牛乳を入れて。
Put milk in the cup.
Refers to a small sake cup, often ceramic or lacquered. Not a general 'glass' but used in specific contexts like drinking sake.
The hard, transparent substance used for windows, bottles, etc.
The standard word for glass as a material. Used in compounds like ガラス製品 (glassware), ガラス細工 (glasswork).
A flat piece of glass used in windows, doors, or picture frames.
Same as the material, but often used in context to mean a pane. Frequently appears in compounds like 窓ガラス (window glass).
A pair of lenses in a frame worn to correct vision or protect the eyes.
The standard word for eyeglasses. Can also be written as メガネ in katakana. Used for both prescription glasses and sunglasses (サングラス is also common for sunglasses).
A reflective surface, typically glass with a metallic backing.
The quantity contained in a glass.
Means 'a glassful' or 'one glass of something'. The counter 杯 (はい/ぱい/ばい) is used for cups and glasses.
グラス一杯の水をください。
Please give me a glass of water.
ワインをグラス二杯飲んだ。
I drank two glasses of wine.
グラス typically refers to a glass made of glass, often with a stem (like a wine glass) or a sleek design, used for cold drinks. コップ is a more general term for a cup or tumbler, which can be made of glass, plastic, or metal, and is used for both hot and cold drinks. In everyday conversation, コップ is very common for any drinking vessel that isn't a traditional Japanese teacup (湯呑み).
ワインはグラスで飲む。
Drink wine from a wine glass.
コップでお茶を飲む。
Drink tea from a cup.
While ガラス means the material glass, it is not used to mean a drinking glass. Saying ガラスをください would be understood as 'please give me the material glass', not a glass of water. Use グラス or コップ for the vessel.
彼は乾杯のためにグラスを掲げた。
He raised his glass for a toast.
グラスには半分水が入っている。
The glass is half full.
彼女はうっかり窓ガラスを割ってしまった。
She accidentally broke the window glass.
紙コップはどこですか。
Where are the paper cups?
杯を交わす。
To exchange sake cups (as a ritual).
このテーブルはガラスでできています。
This table is made of glass.
ガラスの破片に気をつけて。
Watch out for glass fragments.
The kanji form of ガラス. Rarely used in everyday writing; the katakana form is overwhelmingly more common.
硝子の破片に気をつけて。
Watch out for glass fragments.
窓ガラスが割れた。
The window glass broke.
ガラスを拭いてください。
Please wipe the glass (window/mirror).
Specifically means 'sheet glass' or 'plate glass'. Used in technical or construction contexts.
板ガラスを切断する。
To cut sheet glass.
眼鏡をかけていますか。
Do you wear glasses?
新しい眼鏡を作った。
I got new glasses.
Katakana version of 眼鏡, often used in casual writing or advertising. Same meaning.
メガネ、どこに置いたっけ？
Where did I put my glasses?
Specifically means 'sunglasses'. A loanword from English.
夏はサングラスが必須だ。
Sunglasses are a must in summer.
The standard word for mirror. Not directly 'glass', but mirrors are made of glass and sometimes referred to as 'looking glass' in English.
鏡を見て髪を整える。
I look in the mirror and fix my hair.
Same as above but using コップ. Slightly more casual or general.
コップ一杯の牛乳。
A glass of milk.
Please give me a glass (to drink from).
ガラスをください。
Please give me some glass (the material).
To count glasses of something, use the counter 杯 (はい/ぱい/ばい) attached to the number. For example, 一杯 (いっぱい) = one glass, 二杯 (にはい) = two glasses. This works with both グラス and コップ.
ビールを三杯ください。
Three glasses of beer, please.
新しい眼鏡を買わないといけない。
I need to buy a new pair of glasses.
グラスをください。
Please give me a glass (to drink from).
ガラスをください。
Please give me some glass (the material).
To count glasses of something, use the counter 杯 (はい/ぱい/ばい) attached to the number. For example, 一杯 (いっぱい) = one glass, 二杯 (にはい) = two glasses. This works with both グラス and コップ.
ビールを三杯ください。
Three glasses of beer, please.