Translation guide
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into lumber. In Japanese, the word 製材所 is the standard term for the facility, while 製材機 refers to the machine itself. The distinction is important for natural usage.
Referring to the place where logs are processed into boards and planks.
Standard term for a sawmill as a facility or factory. Commonly used in everyday conversation and writing.
Referring to the actual sawing machine or equipment used to cut logs into lumber.
Specifically refers to the sawmill machine itself, not the facility. Use this when talking about the equipment.
この製材機はとても古いです。
This sawmill machine is very old.
English uses 'sawmill' for both the place and the machine, but Japanese distinguishes them. Using 製材機 for the facility or 製材所 for the machine will sound unnatural.
製材所に行って、製材機を見学した。
I went to the sawmill and observed the sawing machine.
祖父は製材所で働いています。
My grandfather works at a sawmill.
この町には大きな製材所がある。
There is a large sawmill in this town.
A slightly more formal or industrial term, emphasizing the factory aspect. Often used in business or technical contexts.
新しい製材工場が建設中です。
A new sawmill is under construction.
Alternate reading of 製材所, less common but still understood. May be encountered in some regions or older texts.
あの製材所はもう閉まっている。
That sawmill is already closed.
We need to replace the sawmill blade.
Literally 'saw sawing machine', a more descriptive term sometimes used in technical contexts.
のこぎり製材機のメンテナンスは重要だ。
Maintenance of the sawmill machine is important.