Translation guide
The English word "plate" covers many distinct concepts in Japanese, from tableware to metal sheets to photography. This guide breaks down the most common meanings and their natural Japanese equivalents.
A flat dish used for serving or eating food.
General word for plate, dish, or saucer. Used for both Western-style flat plates and Japanese small dishes.
この皿はとてもきれいですね。
This plate is very pretty.
Please set the plates on the table.
Large plate or platter, often used for serving shared dishes.
Arrange the food on a large plate.
Small individual plate used to take food from shared dishes.
Please prepare one small plate per person.
A flat, thin piece of metal, often used in construction or manufacturing.
General word for board, plank, or sheet. When context is clear, it can mean metal plate. Often combined with material: 鉄板 (iron plate), 鋼板 (steel plate).
It's a bridge made of iron plates.
Explicitly 'metal plate'. Used when material needs to be specified.
Loanword from English, used in technical or modern contexts (e.g., license plate, tectonic plate).
The metal or plastic plate on a vehicle showing its registration number.
A removable dental appliance, such as a denture or orthodontic plate.
General term for dentures or false teeth. Can refer to a full or partial plate.
My grandfather wears dentures.
Formal/medical term for denture or artificial tooth.
Orthodontic plate or retainer. More specific to braces/alignment.
A light-sensitive glass or metal plate used in early photography.
Photographic dry plate. Historical term.
This photo was taken on a photographic plate.
A massive, irregularly shaped slab of solid rock in the Earth's lithosphere.
Used in geology for tectonic plates. Often combined: 太平洋プレート (Pacific Plate).
Japan sits on four tectonic plates.
The base that a runner must touch to score a run.
Having a lot to do; a full schedule.
Literally 'hands full', meaning very busy or having one's plate full.
I have a full plate this week and can't take on new work.
So busy that one's hands can't keep up; overwhelmed.
While プレート is understood, using 皿 is much more natural for everyday dishes. プレート often sounds like a loanword for specific contexts (license plate, tectonic plate, etc.).
お皿 is the polite form, commonly used in daily conversation. 皿 alone can sound blunt or is used in compound words. In casual settings, either is fine, but お皿 is safer for learners.
Please put the plates on the table.
The car's license plate was covered in mud.
I have a lot on my plate right now.
This machine is covered with metal plates.
車のナンバープレートを確認する。
Check the car's license plate.
Please check the license plate.
The denture needs adjustment.
The child wears an orthodontic plate.
ホームベースを踏む。
Step on home plate.
I have too much on my plate right now, so I'll contact you later.