Translation guide
The English word "parallel" covers several distinct concepts: geometric lines that never meet, things happening at the same time, similarity or analogy, and electrical circuits. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
Describing lines, planes, or objects that are side by side and never meet.
The standard term for geometric parallelism. Used for lines, planes, and also metaphorically for things that run alongside each other without intersecting.
These two lines are parallel.
Parallel straight lines never intersect.
Often used for things that run alongside each other, like roads or railways. Can imply 'running parallel' rather than strict geometric parallelism.
The railway and the road run parallel.
Describing two or more events happening at the same time.
Means 'simultaneous' or 'at the same time'. Often used with に (に) to mean 'in parallel' or 'concurrently'.
Two meetings were held in parallel.
He is working on two projects in parallel.
Can also mean 'concurrent' or 'parallel' in the sense of doing multiple things at once.
Loanword from English, used in technical or computing contexts (e.g., parallel processing).
Drawing a comparison between two things that are similar in some way.
Means 'similarity' or 'analogy'. Used to point out parallels between situations, ideas, etc.
There are many parallels between these two incidents.
Means 'common point' or 'parallel'. Used when highlighting shared characteristics.
A simple way to say 'is similar' or 'parallels'. Often used in casual conversation.
His experience parallels mine.
Describing a parallel circuit where components are connected across common points.
The standard term for 'parallel' in electrical circuits. Contrasts with 直列 (series).
Connect the resistors in parallel.
Referring to parallel data transmission or processing.
Describing a parallel turn in skiing or snowboarding.
Loanword used specifically for parallel turns in skiing.
Practice parallel turns.
平行 (へいこう) is primarily geometric. 並行 (へいこう) often implies 'running alongside' or 'concurrent'. 並列 (へいれつ) is used for electrical circuits and computing. Do not confuse them.
The phrase 'parallel universe' is usually translated as 並行宇宙 (へいこううちゅう) or パラレルワールド, not 平行宇宙. パラレルワールド is more common in pop culture.
The road runs parallel to the river.
He drew a parallel between the two theories.
The two systems operate in parallel.
仕事と勉強を並行して行う。
To work and study in parallel.
パラレル処理
parallel processing
Several parallels can be seen between the two.
parallel circuit
並列コンピューティング
parallel computing