Translation guide
The English word "scaling" covers several distinct concepts: climbing, removing scales from fish, changing size proportionally, and the buildup of hard deposits. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
To climb up or over something, especially a steep surface like a wall, cliff, or mountain.
General verb for climbing. Can be used for mountains, stairs, trees, etc. When used for walls or cliffs, it implies scaling them.
彼は壁を登った。
He scaled the wall.
その登山家は岩壁を登った。
The mountaineer scaled the rock face.
To clamber up, scramble up. Emphasizes using hands and feet to climb something steep or difficult.
子供たちは塀によじ登った。
The children scaled the fence.
Literary or technical term for climbing, often used in mountaineering contexts. Implies scaling with effort.
彼は断崖を攀じ登った。
He scaled the sheer cliff.
To remove the scales from a fish before cooking.
Standard phrase meaning 'to remove scales'. Used in cooking contexts.
魚の鱗を取ってください。
Please scale the fish.
Literally 'to drop/remove scales'. Also common in cooking.
包丁で鱗を落とす。
Scale the fish with a knife.
Noun meaning 'scaling' (the act of removing scales) or a tool for scaling fish.
鱗引きを使うと簡単です。
It's easy if you use a fish scaler.
To increase or decrease the size of something while maintaining proportions, such as images, models, or systems.
Noun meaning 'scaling' (enlargement and reduction). Often used in computing and design.
画像の拡大縮小ができます。
You can scale the image.
Loanword from English, used in technical contexts like computing, mathematics, and business.
このシステムはスケーリングが容易だ。
This system is easy to scale.
To change the scale (e.g., of a map or drawing).
地図の縮尺を変えてください。
Please scale the map.
Proportional enlargement. Used in technical or mathematical contexts.
この図形を比例拡大する。
Scale up this figure proportionally.
The accumulation of hard mineral deposits, such as in pipes, kettles, or teeth.
Loanword commonly used for mineral deposits in appliances and plumbing.
やかんにスケールがたまった。
Scale has built up in the kettle.
Specifically refers to limescale or water scale.
Dental calculus or tartar. Used only for teeth.
English 'scaling' has very different Japanese equivalents depending on context. Using 登る for removing fish scales or スケーリング for climbing will cause confusion. Always identify the intended meaning first.
水道の蛇口に水垢がついている。
There is scale on the faucet.
I had the scale removed from my teeth.