Translation guide
A guide to expressing the many meanings of 'set' in Japanese, organized by practical English usage.
Referring to a complete set of things, like tools, dishes, or a series.
Used for a complete set of items, often with a counter or noun. Common for tools, furniture, documents, etc.
工具一式を買った。
I bought a set of tools.
書類一式を提出してください。
Please submit the set of documents.
Loanword from English, used for sets in many contexts: makeup, TV, meal combos, etc. Very versatile.
Often used for pairs or sets of things that come together, like a tea set, a set of dishes, or a pair of something.
Placing an object in a specific location or position.
General verb for putting or placing something somewhere. Very common.
Setting a clock, alarm, thermostat, or other controls.
Loanword used for setting devices, alarms, timers, etc. Very common in daily life.
目覚ましを7時にセットした。
I set the alarm for 7 o'clock.
エアコンを26度にセットしてください。
Please set the air conditioner to 26 degrees.
Setting rules, records, goals, dates, prices, etc.
To decide or set something like a date, rule, or goal. Very common.
Setting a table, setting up a room, preparing something for use.
When a liquid becomes solid, like jelly, concrete, or glue.
When the sun or moon disappears below the horizon.
Used for the sun, moon, or other celestial bodies setting.
Describing something that is set, fixed, or predetermined, like a set phrase or a set menu.
Fixed, set, or regular. Used for routines, phrases, patterns.
決まった手順で行う。
Follow a set procedure.
決まり文句
set phrase
The English word 'set' has many meanings that do not map one-to-one with Japanese. Always consider the specific meaning you want to convey and choose the appropriate Japanese expression. Using セットする for everything will sound unnatural.
置く (oku) is the general verb for placing something. 据える (sueru) implies placing something firmly or installing it. Use 据える for heavy objects or equipment that are meant to stay in place.
The loanword セット is very common in modern Japanese for sets of items, device settings, and meal combos. It's safe to use in casual and semi-formal contexts, but in formal writing, consider native Japanese alternatives like 一式 or 設定.
コンクリートは数時間で固まります。
The concrete will set in a few hours.
彼女は花瓶をテーブルに置いた。
She set the vase on the table.
結婚式の日取りを決めないと。
We need to set a date for the wedding.
This makeup set is a good deal.
ハンバーガーセットをください。
I'll have a hamburger set (combo).
I received a tea set.
机の上に本を置いた。
I set the book on the desk.
To set or place something firmly, often used for installing equipment or setting something in a fixed position.
テレビを台に据えた。
I set the TV on the stand.
More formal, used for configuring settings on computers, phones, or systems.
パスワードを設定する。
Set a password.
会議の日時を決めましょう。
Let's set a date and time for the meeting.
目標を決める。
Set a goal.
Used for establishing rules, standards, or conditions, often in formal contexts.
ルールを設定する。
Set the rules.
To set a record or establish a new achievement. Often used in sports or business.
世界記録を打ち立てた。
He set a world record.
To arrange, put in order, or set something neatly. Used for tables, hair, appearance, etc.
夕食のテーブルを整える。
Set the dinner table.
Loanword for setting up equipment, venues, or arrangements. Common in event planning and tech.
音響機器をセッティングする。
Set up the sound equipment.
To harden, solidify, or set. Used for jelly, concrete, glue, etc.
ゼリーが冷蔵庫で固まった。
The jelly set in the fridge.
接着剤が固まるまで待つ。
Wait for the glue to set.
Transitive: to make something set or harden. E.g., to set jelly by cooling.
ゼリーを冷やして固める。
Chill the jelly to set it.
太陽が西に沈む。
The sun sets in the west.
Often used in the phrase 日が入る (hi ga iru) for the sun setting, especially in literary or poetic contexts.
日が山の向こうに入った。
The sun set behind the mountains.
Fixed, constant, or set. Used for prices, intervals, conditions.
一定の間隔でベルが鳴る。
A bell rings at set intervals.