Translation guide
The English word "plant" covers a wide range of meanings, from living organisms to factories and covert operations. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended meaning.
Referring to a living thing that grows in the earth, such as a flower, tree, or vegetable.
The general term for plants as a category of living things. Used in scientific and everyday contexts.
植物を育てるのが好きです。
I like growing plants.
この植物は水が少なくても育ちます。
This plant can grow with little water.
Refers to plants in a more natural, collective sense, often implying greenery, trees, and grass. Common in literary or descriptive contexts.
庭の草木が青々としている。
The plants in the garden are lush and green.
Specifically refers to garden plants, potted plants, or shrubs that are planted and tended. Not used for wild plants.
植木に水をやる。
Water the plants (in the garden/pots).
Referring to a building or complex where goods are manufactured or processed.
The standard word for a factory or plant where products are made.
この工場では自動車を製造しています。
This plant manufactures cars.
新しい工場が郊外に建設された。
A new plant was built in the suburbs.
Loanword from English, often used for large-scale industrial plants, especially chemical, power, or processing plants. More technical than 工場.
Often used in company names for manufacturing plants, e.g., 〇〇製作所. Less common in everyday speech.
Referring to a person placed in an organization to secretly gather information or influence events.
The most common word for a spy or secret agent. Can be used for a plant in espionage contexts.
彼は敵の組織にスパイとして潜入した。
He infiltrated the enemy organization as a plant.
Specifically a mole or insider who secretly works for an opposing side. Emphasizes betrayal from within.
警察は内通者を使って情報を得た。
The police used a plant to get information.
Historical term for a spy or undercover agent, often used in ninja or samurai contexts. Not used in modern settings.
The action of putting something in a particular place, often for deceptive purposes.
Means to set up or plant something like a device, trap, or evidence. Often implies a hidden or deceptive intent.
彼は爆弾を車に仕掛けた。
He planted a bomb in the car.
犯人は偽の証拠を現場に仕掛けた。
The culprit planted false evidence at the scene.
Simply means 'to put' or 'place'. Can be used for planting something in a neutral sense, but lacks the deceptive nuance unless context implies it.
彼は机の上に書類を置いた。
He planted the documents on the desk.
Literally means to plant (a tree, seed) but can metaphorically mean to implant an idea or feeling. Not used for physical objects like bombs.
The action of inserting a person into an organization for espionage.
Means to infiltrate or send someone undercover. The most natural way to say 'plant a spy'.
警察は組織に捜査官を潜入させた。
The police planted an investigator in the organization.
Literally 'send into', used for dispatching a person into a group or place, often with a hidden agenda.
敵はスパイを我々のチームに送り込んだ。
The enemy planted a spy in our team.
The action of standing or positioning oneself firmly and resolutely.
Means to stand firmly and heavily, often with a sense of determination. Natural for 'plant oneself'.
彼は入り口にどっしりと立って、誰も通さなかった。
He planted himself at the entrance and wouldn't let anyone pass.
Means to stand in the way, blocking someone. Implies a confrontational stance.
彼女は私の前に立ちはだかった。
She planted herself in front of me.
植物 (shokubutsu) only means plant in the botanical sense. Using it for a factory or a spy will cause confusion. Always choose the word based on the intended meaning.
工場 (koujou) is the general word for factory and is used in everyday conversation. プラント (puranto) is a loanword often used for large-scale industrial facilities like chemical or power plants. In most cases, 工場 is sufficient.
部屋に新しい植物を買いました。
I bought a new plant for my room.
その会社は海外に新しい工場を建設中です。
The company is building a new plant overseas.
彼らは政府にスパイを潜入させた。
They planted a spy in the government.
化学プラントで働いています。
I work at a chemical plant.
その部品は大阪の製作所で作られています。
The parts are made at a plant in Osaka.
Plants were often used in the Warring States period.
彼は子供たちに勇気を植え付けた。
He planted courage in the children.