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.
夏は毎日プールに行きます。
I go to the pool every day in summer.
ホテルにプールはありますか？
Is there a pool at the hotel?
Literally 'swimming pool', used in formal or official contexts like competition venues.
この水泳プールは国際大会に使われます。
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.
庭に小さな池があります。
There is a small pond in the garden.
森の中の池で泳いだ。
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.
週末は友達とビリヤードをします。
I play pool with friends on weekends.
Specifically 'pocket billiards' or pool, as opposed to carom billiards. Used when distinction is needed.
ポケットビリヤードのルールを教えてください。
Please teach me the rules of pool.
A collective supply of money, resources, or people available for a common purpose.
Used metaphorically, similar to English. Common in business contexts for funds, resources, or talent.
会社は人材プールを拡大している。
The company is expanding its talent pool.
共同購入で費用をプールする。
We pool our expenses through group purchasing.
Literally 'shared fund'. More formal and explicit than プール.
プロジェクトのために共有資金を設立した。
We established a pool of funds for the project.
A small accumulation of liquid or an area of light.
For a pool of water or other liquid on the ground.
床に水たまりができていた。
There was a pool of water on the floor.
Specifically a pool of blood.
現場には血だまりがあった。
There was a pool of blood at the scene.
A poetic or descriptive phrase for a pool of light. Not common in everyday speech.
ステンドグラスから光のプールが床にできた。
A pool of light from the stained glass formed on the floor.
A group of people sharing a car for commuting.
Direct loanword for carpool. Widely understood in urban contexts.
カープールで通勤しています。
I commute by carpool.
General term for ride-sharing, not limited to commuting. Can be used for taxis or casual sharing.
同僚と相乗りして会社に行く。
I go to work carpooling with colleagues.
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.
公園の池でカモが泳いでいる。
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.
ビリヤードをやりませんか？
Would you like to play pool?
After the rain, a pool of water formed on the road.
A fish jumped in the deep pool of the river.