Translation guide
The English word "patch" has several distinct meanings, each with different Japanese equivalents. This guide covers the most common uses: a piece of material for mending, a small area of land, a software update, an adhesive bandage, and an eye covering.
A piece of cloth, rubber, or other material used to cover a hole or reinforce a weak area.
General term for a patch sewn or glued onto fabric or other materials.
He put a patch on the hole in his jeans.
Loanword from English, often used for decorative or branded patches on clothing.
This jacket has a lot of patches on it.
Specifically a cloth patch, often used in sewing contexts.
Reinforce it with a cloth patch.
A small piece of ground, especially one used for gardening or farming.
Refers to a cultivated field or garden plot. Often used for vegetable patches.
There is a small vegetable patch in the backyard.
Means a plot or section of land, often used in urban or community garden contexts.
I rented a patch at the community garden.
General word for land; can be used with modifiers like 小さな (small) to mean a patch of land.
A piece of code that updates or fixes a computer program.
The standard loanword for a software patch.
Please apply the security patch.
Literally 'correction program', a more descriptive term often used in formal contexts.
This patch will fix the bug.
Often used for larger updates, but can overlap with 'patch' in casual usage.
A small piece of sticky material with a gauze pad, used to cover minor wounds.
A protective or therapeutic covering worn over one eye.
Standard term for an eye patch, used for medical or cosmetic reasons.
He is wearing an eye patch.
When 'patch' is used as a verb (e.g., 'patch a hole'), do not use パッチする. Use specific verbs like 継ぎ当てをする (to patch with material) or 修正する (to patch software).
He grows vegetables on a small patch of land.
アップデート is broader and may refer to feature updates, not just fixes.
I installed the latest patch/update.
Put an acne patch on your face.