Translation guide
The English word "park" can refer to a public green space, the act of leaving a vehicle, or the act of sitting down or placing something temporarily. This guide covers the most common Japanese expressions for each meaning.
A public area with grass, trees, and often playgrounds or benches, used for recreation.
The standard word for a public park. Used for any size, from small neighborhood parks to large national parks.
We had a picnic in the park on the weekend.
The children are playing in the park.
Refers to a garden or landscaped park, often with a more formal or aesthetic design, like a Japanese garden or botanical garden.
This park is famous for its beautiful Japanese garden.
Specifically an amusement park. Not used for a regular green park.
Disneyland is a famous amusement park.
To stop and leave a vehicle in a designated area.
The standard verb for parking a vehicle. Used for cars, bicycles, etc.
Can I park here?
He parked the car in the parking lot.
A more casual verb meaning 'to stop' or 'to park' a vehicle. Often used in spoken Japanese.
Specifically for parking a bicycle. Not used for cars.
Please do not park your bicycle in front of the station.
To put oneself or something in a particular place for a short time, often informally.
The loanword パーク (pāku) exists but is mainly used in proper names like 日比谷パーク (Hibiya Park) or in compounds like テーマパーク (theme park). For a regular park, always use 公園.
駐車する is more formal and often used in official contexts or signs. 停める is casual and common in everyday speech. Both are correct for parking a vehicle.
Let's park the car over there.
Can I park my stuff there?