Translation guide
A pod is a natural container or group, such as a seed pod, a detachable compartment on a vehicle, or a small social group like a family or team. Japanese uses different words depending on what kind of pod you mean.
The long seed container of plants like peas and beans, or similar natural structures.
The most common word for a pea or bean pod. Used in everyday cooking and gardening.
Shell the pea pods.
さやいんげんをゆでる。
Boil the green beans in their pods.
Literally 'bean pod'. Used when you need to be specific.
豆のさやがはじけた。
The bean pods burst open.
A self-contained unit that can be separated from a larger vehicle, such as an engine pod on an airplane, a space capsule, or a detachable cargo container.
The direct loanword from English. Widely understood for technology and sci-fi contexts.
エンジンポッドを点検する。
Inspect the engine pod.
宇宙船の脱出ポッド。
The spaceship's escape pod.
Used for small, enclosed compartments, especially space capsules or hotel pods.
A small, close-knit group such as a family, team, or social bubble, especially during the pandemic.
General word for a group. Can be used for a pod in social contexts.
少人数のグループで行動する。
Act in a small group (pod).
Used specifically for a social bubble or quarantine pod.
家族でバブルを作る。
Form a bubble with your family.
A small organized group like a squad or team, sometimes used for school or work pods.
班ごとに活動する。
Work in small groups (pods).
A small group of marine mammals, like a pod of dolphins.
General word for a group of animals, including whales and dolphins.
イルカの群れを見た。
We saw a pod of dolphins.
The loanword is sometimes used in nature documentaries or scientific contexts.
シャチのポッドが狩りをする。
A pod of orcas hunts.
The loanword ポッド is mainly for mechanical or sci-fi pods. For vegetable pods, always use さや. Saying ピーポッド would sound like a pea-shaped capsule, not a garden pea pod.
カプセルホテルに泊まる。
Stay in a capsule hotel.