Translation guide
A rice mill is a machine or facility for processing rice, typically to remove the husk and polish the grains. In Japanese, the term depends on whether you mean the machine, the facility, or the action.
Referring to the device or appliance that hulls and polishes rice.
Standard term for a rice milling machine, commonly used in households and small businesses.
新しい精米機を買った。
I bought a new rice mill.
Specifically a machine for removing the husk (hulling), often used in agricultural contexts.
籾摺り機で籾を玄米にする。
Hull the rice with a rice huller.
Less common variant of 精米機, sometimes used for smaller or simpler devices.
この精米器は家庭用です。
This rice mill is for home use.
Referring to a building or factory where rice is processed on a larger scale.
Common term for a rice milling facility, often a small local shop or a section of a larger plant.
近所の精米所で精米してもらった。
I had my rice milled at the local rice mill.
Refers to a larger-scale rice milling factory.
その精米工場は一日に何トンも処理できる。
That rice mill can process several tons a day.
Referring to the action of hulling and polishing rice.
The verb phrase meaning 'to mill rice' or 'to polish rice'.
自分で精米すると美味しい。
It tastes better when you mill the rice yourself.
Specifically refers to the hulling process, removing the outer husk.
籾摺りして玄米にする。
Hull the rice to make brown rice.
精米機 is the machine itself, while 精米所 is the place or shop where the machine is located. Use 精米機 when talking about the device, and 精米所 when referring to the location.
The phrase 精米に行く (せいまい に いく) means 'to go to get rice milled', often implying a visit to a local 精米所.
A large-scale rice processing and drying facility, often found in agricultural cooperatives.
収穫した米はライスセンターに運ばれる。
The harvested rice is taken to the rice center.