Translation guide
How to say 'reboot' in Japanese, covering computers, devices, and figurative uses.
To restart a computer, phone, or other electronic device.
The standard, neutral term for rebooting a computer or device. Used in both spoken and written contexts.
Please reboot your computer.
My smartphone froze, so I rebooted it.
A loanword from English, commonly used in IT contexts. Slightly more technical than 再起動.
You need to reboot the system.
A slightly more formal or technical way to say 'perform a reboot'.
I rebooted the server.
Literally 'turn the power off and on again'. Used for a hard reboot or power cycle, often for troubleshooting.
To start something over or give it a fresh start, like a project, career, or relationship.
Means 'to redo' or 'start over'. Natural for rebooting a process or life situation.
I want to reboot my life.
Means 'to make a fresh start' or 'restart'. Often used for careers or life chapters.
He rebooted his career at a new company.
Loanword meaning 'reset'. Used figuratively for rebooting one's mindset or situation.
Let's reboot our mindset and try again.
Means 'to start over from scratch'. Emphasizes going back to the beginning.
Since I failed, I'll reboot from scratch.
To restart a movie series, game franchise, etc., with a new continuity.
The loanword used specifically for media franchise reboots. Widely understood among fans.
This movie is a reboot of the series.
Means 'reboot version', commonly used for movies or games.
A reboot version of the game was released.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'to remake anew'. Can be used when explaining a reboot.
The drama was rebooted (remade anew).
Both mean 'reboot' for computers. 再起動 is the general Japanese term, while リブート is a loanword often used in IT or by tech-savvy speakers. In casual conversation, 再起動 is safer and more widely understood.
While リブート is used for media franchises, it is not natural for personal life reboots. Use やり直す or 再出発する instead.
Try rebooting the router (by turning it off and on).
Let's reboot the plan from scratch.