Translation guide
An insulator is a material that does not easily allow heat, electricity, or sound to pass through it. In Japanese, the most common word is 絶縁体 (ぜつえんたい) for electrical insulation, but other terms exist depending on context.
A material that prevents the flow of electric current.
The standard technical term for an electrical insulator. Used in physics and engineering contexts.
Rubber is a good insulator.
A less common synonym for electrical insulator, literally 'non-conductor'. Mainly in technical writing.
This material is used as an insulator.
Specifically refers to a ceramic or glass insulator used on power lines or electrical equipment. Not for general insulating materials.
Insulators are attached to the utility pole.
A material that reduces heat transfer.
The standard term for thermal insulation material, used in construction and engineering.
If you put insulation in the walls, it gets warmer.
Emphasizes keeping heat in, often for pipes, containers, or clothing. 'Heat-retaining material'.
A more formal or scientific term for a thermal insulator as a substance, less common than 断熱材.
A material that blocks or absorbs sound.
General term for soundproofing or sound-insulating material.
Sound-insulating material is used on the studio walls.
Specifically refers to materials that block sound transmission, often used in construction.
Material that absorbs sound rather than blocking it, like acoustic foam.
Suppress echoes with sound-absorbing material.
Something that isolates or protects from outside influence.
Can be used for any insulating object or material, but often implies electrical insulation. Sometimes used figuratively.
He lives like an insulator from society.
For figurative use, it's often better to rephrase as 'something that isolates from ~'. There is no single common word.
These are not interchangeable. 絶縁体 is for electricity, 断熱材 for heat, and 防音材 for sound. Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
Rubber is an electrical insulator, and glass wool is a thermal insulator.
The loanword インシュレーター exists but is rare and mainly used in specific technical fields or brand names. It's safer to use the native terms above.
This jacket has insulation in it.
A vacuum is an excellent thermal insulator.
Laying sound-insulating material on the floor reduces footsteps.
This organization is an insulator from outside influence.