Translation guide
In Japanese, 'ice pack' can refer to a reusable gel pack, a disposable instant cold pack, or a simple bag of ice. The most common term is 保冷剤 (hozai), but other words are used depending on the type and context.
A reusable pack filled with gel or liquid that is frozen and used to keep things cold or to apply cold to an injury.
The most common and general term for a reusable ice pack. Used for lunch boxes, coolers, and sometimes for injuries.
お弁当に保冷剤を入れました。
I put an ice pack in the lunch box.
保冷剤を凍らせてください。
Please freeze the ice pack.
A loanword from English, often used for gel packs specifically for injuries or cooling the body. Can also refer to reusable packs in general.
捻挫したのでアイスパックで冷やしています。
I sprained my ankle, so I'm icing it with an ice pack.
A more technical term for a cold storage agent, often used in industrial or medical contexts. Less common in daily conversation.
この蓄冷剤は長時間冷たさを保ちます。
This ice pack stays cold for a long time.
A disposable pack that becomes cold instantly when squeezed or shaken, often used for first aid.
Specifically refers to instant cold packs that activate by squeezing. Common in first aid kits.
瞬間冷却パックを揉んで冷たくしてください。
Squeeze the instant cold pack to make it cold.
Literally 'disposable cooling pack'. Emphasizes that it is single-use.
使い捨て冷却パックは非常時に便利です。
Disposable ice packs are handy in emergencies.
A simple plastic bag filled with ice cubes, often used for injuries or keeping things cold.
An ice bag, traditionally a rubber or plastic bag filled with ice, used for injuries. Still common in medical contexts.
氷嚢で頭を冷やしてください。
Please cool your head with an ice bag.
Same as 氷嚢 but written with kana for 氷. More common in everyday writing.
氷のうを作ってください。
Please make an ice bag.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a bag with ice in it'. Used when the specific term is unknown.
氷を入れた袋で冷やしましょう。
Let's cool it with a bag of ice.
保冷剤 is the most versatile term for reusable gel packs. アイスパック is often used for injury-specific gel packs. 氷嚢 refers to a bag filled with ice cubes, not a gel pack. For instant cold packs, use 瞬間冷却パック.
保冷剤はお弁当に、アイスパックは怪我に、氷嚢は病院で使うことが多いです。
Hozai is often used for lunch boxes, ice packs for injuries, and ice bags in hospitals.