Translation guide
A sandbag is a bag filled with sand, used for flood control, weight, or protection. In Japanese, the word is 土嚢 (どのう), but the concept can be expressed in various ways depending on context.
A bag filled with sand used to build a barrier against water or as a protective wall.
The standard term for sandbags used in flood control, construction, or military contexts.
洪水を防ぐために土嚢を積んだ。
We stacked sandbags to prevent flooding.
Alternative kanji writing for 土嚢, commonly seen in public notices and news.
市が土のうを無料で配布しています。
The city is distributing sandbags for free.
A bag filled with sand used as a weight for training or stability.
Loanword from English, commonly used in fitness contexts for a sand-filled training bag.
サンドバッグを使ったトレーニングが人気です。
Training with sandbags is popular.
Literally 'sand bag', can be used for homemade weights, but less common than サンドバッグ in fitness.
Something that weighs you down or impedes progress, like a 'sandbag' in a metaphorical sense.
Means 'shackles' or 'fetters', used figuratively for something that hinders or holds you back.
その古い習慣が彼の足枷になっている。
That old habit is a sandbag for him.
Means 'heavy load' or 'burden', often used for emotional or psychological weight.
To sandbag someone means to treat them unfairly or deceive them, often by concealing one's true ability.
Means 'to hold back' or 'pull one's punches', often used when someone deliberately underperforms.
彼は試合で手加減していた。
He was sandbagging in the match.
Literally 'hide one's true ability', a more direct way to describe sandbagging.
彼は実力を隠して、弱いふりをしていた。
He was sandbagging, pretending to be weak.
When using 'sandbag' metaphorically, do not translate directly as 土嚢. Use words like 足枷 or 重荷 for burdens, and 手加減する for the verb sense.
砂袋を担いで坂道を走る。
Run up the hill carrying a sandbag.
The debt is a sandbag around my neck.