Translation guide
The English word 'inventory' can refer to a list of items, the stock of goods on hand, or the act of counting stock. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Referring to the physical items a business has available for sale or use.
The most common and direct translation for 'inventory' as stock. Used in business contexts.
Do you have this item in stock?
Inventory is running low.
Loanword from English, often used in retail or casual business settings.
We're out of stock.
Refers to the range or assortment of goods, rather than just quantity.
Our store has a wide inventory.
A detailed list or catalog of goods, assets, or contents.
The process of physically checking and recording the quantity of goods.
The standard term for stocktaking or physical inventory count.
We conduct an inventory count at the end of the month.
A more general phrase meaning 'to check inventory', not necessarily a full count.
Formal accounting term for physical inventory taking.
在庫 (zaiko) refers to the stock itself, while 棚卸し (tanaoroshi) is the act of counting that stock. Don't use 棚卸し to mean 'inventory' as a noun for goods.
We're low on inventory, so let's do a stocktake and get the exact numbers.
The English word 'inventory' is often translated as 在庫, but in contexts like 'inventory management' it becomes 在庫管理 (zaiko kanri). Directly using インベントリー is not common.
We need to take inventory.
The store has a large inventory.
Please check the inventory list.
資産目録を作成する。
Create an inventory of assets.
Specifically a stocktaking sheet used during physical inventory counts.
Enter quantities on the inventory sheet.
I'll check the inventory before ordering.
Physical inventory is conducted once a year.