Translation guide
The English word 'replication' covers several distinct ideas: making an exact copy, repeating a scientific experiment, and the biological process of DNA copying. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
To create a precise copy of an object, document, or data.
The most common and general term for making a copy or duplicate. Used for documents, artworks, keys, digital files, etc.
Please make a copy of this document.
Replication of the painting is prohibited.
A loanword from English, very common in everyday speech and office settings. Often used for photocopies or digital copies.
Please copy this file.
Specifically refers to photocopying or making a duplicate by photographic or xerographic means. More technical than 複製.
Duplicate documents with a copier.
To conduct an experiment again to verify results.
Means 'reproduction' or 'replication' in the sense of recreating a phenomenon or result. Commonly used in scientific contexts.
The experimental results were replicated by other researchers.
Literally 'follow-up test', used specifically for replication studies in science. Implies verifying someone else's results.
Literally 're-experiment', a straightforward compound meaning to do the experiment again. Less common than 再現 or 追試.
The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself during cell division.
The standard term for DNA replication in biology. Same word as for general copying, but context makes it clear.
DNA replication occurs before cell division.
Explicitly 'DNA replication', often used in textbooks and scientific papers.
I am researching the mechanism of DNA replication.
複製 is the formal, standard Japanese word for duplication, suitable for writing and official contexts. コピー is a casual loanword used in everyday conversation, especially for photocopies or digital files. In scientific replication, 複製 is used for DNA, while 再現 or 追試 are used for experiments.
Do not use 複製 for repeating an experiment. It sounds like you are making a physical copy of the experiment. Use 再現 or 追試 instead.
その発見の追試が行われた。
A replication of the discovery was conducted.
The same results were obtained by replication.