Translation guide
The English word 'projection' covers several distinct ideas: a physical part that sticks out, a forecast or estimate, the act of throwing or sending something forward (like light, images, or sound), and psychological projection. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Describing a physical feature that juts out from a surface.
General term for a projection, protrusion, or prominence. Used in technical and everyday contexts.
壁に小さな突起がある。
There is a small projection on the wall.
Literally 'protruding part'. Often used in mechanical or architectural descriptions.
この機械の突出部に注意してください。
Please be careful of the projection on this machine.
Casual term for a bulge or protrusion. Common in everyday speech.
この机の出っ張りにひざをぶつけた。
I hit my knee on the projection of this desk.
Talking about a prediction of future trends, numbers, or outcomes.
General term for prediction or forecast, based on data or reasoning.
来年の売上予測を立てる。
Make a sales projection for next year.
Outlook or prospect; often used in business contexts for projections.
Estimate or projection, often used in statistical or demographic contexts.
Describing the act of projecting an image, light, sound, or object.
Projection of images or light, such as with a projector. Also used metaphorically.
スクリーンに映像を投影する。
Project an image onto the screen.
Projection of light, rays, or physical objects; often used in physics or engineering.
Specifically refers to projecting films or slides.
Referring to the defense mechanism where one attributes one's own feelings to others.
Same word as image projection, but used in psychology. Often used in the phrase '投影する'.
彼は自分の不安を他人に投影している。
He is projecting his anxiety onto others.
Explicitly 'psychological projection' to distinguish from other meanings.
心理的投影は防衛機制の一つだ。
Psychological projection is one of the defense mechanisms.
When talking about business or economic projections, do not directly translate 'projection' as 投影 (tōei), which means image projection. Use 予測 (yosoku) or 見通し (mitōshi) instead.
経済の見通しは明るくない。
The economic projection is not bright.
人口推計によると、2050年には高齢者が40%を超える。
According to population projections, the elderly will exceed 40% in 2050.
Project a laser beam.
Project the film with a projector.