Translation guide
The English word 'pool' covers several distinct concepts: a swimming pool, a small body of water, a game like billiards, a shared resource, and more. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
A man-made structure for swimming, often at a sports facility, hotel, or home.
The most common and direct translation for a swimming pool. Used in almost all contexts.
I go to the pool every day in summer.
Is there a pool at the hotel?
Literally 'swimming pool', used in formal or official contexts like competition venues.
This swimming pool is used for international competitions.
A small natural body of water, like a pond or a pool in a river.
General word for a pond or small lake. Often used for garden ponds or natural pools.
There is a small pond in the garden.
I swam in a pool in the forest.
A puddle or small pool of water, often temporary after rain.
A deep pool in a river or stream. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
The cue sport played on a table with balls and cues.
General term for billiards, including pool. Most common way to refer to the game.
I play pool with friends on weekends.
Specifically 'pocket billiards' or pool, as opposed to carom billiards. Used when distinction is needed.
Please teach me the rules of pool.
A collective supply of money, resources, or people available for a common purpose.
A small accumulation of liquid or an area of light.
For a pool of water or other liquid on the ground.
There was a pool of water on the floor.
Specifically a pool of blood.
There was a pool of blood at the scene.
A poetic or descriptive phrase for a pool of light. Not common in everyday speech.
A pool of light from the stained glass formed on the floor.
A group of people sharing a car for commuting.
プール almost always means a man-made swimming pool. For a natural pond or pool, use 池 (いけ). Using プール for a natural body of water sounds strange.
Ducks are swimming in the pond at the park.
ビリヤード is the general term for all cue sports. ポケットビリヤード specifically means pool (pocket billiards). In casual conversation, ビリヤード is usually sufficient.
Would you like to play pool?
雨の後、道に水たまりができた。
After the rain, a pool of water formed on the road.
A fish jumped in the deep pool of the river.
We established a pool of funds for the project.
同僚と相乗りして会社に行く。
I go to work carpooling with colleagues.