Translation guide
The English word 'iron' has several distinct meanings: the metal, a tool for pressing clothes, a golf club, and various idiomatic uses. This guide covers the most common meanings for learners.
The chemical element or the metal in general.
The standard word for the metal iron. Used in compounds and technical contexts.
鉄は重い金属です。
Iron is a heavy metal.
この橋は鉄でできている。
This bridge is made of iron.
This is a loanword from English 'iron', but it almost always means the clothes iron, not the metal. Avoid using it for the metal.
Do not use アイロン for the metal iron; it refers to the pressing tool.
アイロンは金属ではありません。
An iron is not a metal.
The tool used to press clothes.
The standard word for a clothes iron. Used as a noun and with the verb かける (to iron).
シャツにアイロンをかけてください。
Please iron the shirt.
アイロンがけは面倒だ。
Ironing is a hassle.
A type of golf club with a metal head.
The standard term for an iron golf club. Often used with numbers (e.g., 5番アイアン).
彼は5番アイアンで打った。
He hit with a 5-iron.
Used metaphorically to mean strong, unyielding, or strict.
The prefix 鉄の (literally 'of iron') is used metaphorically for strength or rigidity, similar to English 'iron will', 'iron fist', etc.
彼は鉄の意志を持っている。
He has an iron will.
その国は鉄のカーテンの向こうにあった。
That country was behind the Iron Curtain.
The mineral nutrient.
Refers to iron as a nutrient. Often used in contexts of health and food.
鉄分が不足しています。
You are lacking iron.
ほうれん草には鉄分が豊富だ。
Spinach is rich in iron.
Can be used alone in medical or nutritional contexts, but 鉄分 is more common for dietary iron.
鉄のサプリメントを飲んでいる。
I take iron supplements.
A tool made of iron used for branding or soldering.
アイロン means 'clothes iron' only. For the metal, use 鉄 (てつ). Using アイロン for the metal will cause confusion.
この鍋は鉄でできている。
This pot is made of iron.
鉄 (てつ) is the general word for iron metal. 鉄分 (てつぶん) specifically refers to iron content, especially in nutrition or chemistry. Use 鉄分 when talking about dietary iron.
鉄は産業に重要だ。
Iron is important for industry.
この食品は鉄分が多い。
This food is high in iron.
はんだごてを使って配線を直す。
Fix the wiring using a soldering iron.