Translation guide
A potentiometer is a variable resistor used to adjust voltage or measure position. In everyday contexts, it often refers to a rotary knob or slider that controls volume, brightness, or other settings.
The physical electronic component used to adjust resistance and voltage in circuits.
The standard technical term for a potentiometer, used in engineering and electronics.
We use a 10kΩ potentiometer in this circuit.
Literally 'variable resistor', a broader term that includes potentiometers. Used in technical documentation.
Turn the knob of the variable resistor to adjust the voltage.
Often used for potentiometers in audio equipment (volume controls). Can be ambiguous as it also means 'volume' (sound level).
Only use when clearly referring to an audio volume control component.
I want to replace the volume potentiometer on this amplifier.
The physical knob, dial, or slider that the user turns or moves to adjust a setting like volume, brightness, or speed.
General word for a knob or dial. Very common for volume controls, stove knobs, etc.
Turn the volume knob to the right.
You can adjust the screen brightness with the brightness knob.
Often used for round dials with markings, like on a radio or thermostat.
Used for linear sliding controls, common in audio mixers and software interfaces.
Specifically a volume knob. Redundant in many contexts but clear.
The volume knob broke.
A potentiometer used as a sensor to measure linear or angular position, often in industrial or robotics contexts.
つまみ is the most general word for a knob or dial. ダイヤル implies a round control with markings, often used for tuning or setting. スライダー is specifically a linear sliding control. Use つまみ when unsure.
The air conditioner's temperature control is a dial type.
ボリューム can mean both the physical knob and the sound level. In technical contexts, clarify with ボリュームつまみ or 音量調整つまみ if needed.
温度調節のダイヤルを回す。
Turn the temperature control dial.
音量はスライダーで調整します。
Adjust the volume with the slider.