Translation guide
The English phrasal verb "set up" covers a wide range of meanings, from physically arranging objects to establishing organizations, preparing equipment, and even framing someone. This guide breaks down the most common uses and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
To put things in position or make something ready for use, such as setting up a tent, a computer, or a meeting room.
Formal, often used for installing equipment, setting up devices, or establishing facilities.
I set up the new printer.
To assemble or put together something from parts, like furniture or a tent.
It took 30 minutes to set up the tent.
General term for preparing or getting ready. Can be used for setting up a room, equipment, or an event.
I'll set up the meeting room.
Loanword from English, used for setting up devices, alarms, or configurations. Casual and common in spoken Japanese.
Did you set up the alarm?
Used for setting up camps, event venues, or temporary structures. More formal and specific.
Set up the event venue.
To create, found, or initiate something like a company, committee, fund, or system.
Standard term for establishing organizations, companies, or institutions.
I set up a new company.
Casual and versatile verb meaning 'to make'. Can be used for setting up a website, a fund, or a team.
Literally 'to launch', used for starting projects, businesses, or online services. Implies getting something off the ground.
Formal term for founding or establishing, often used for awards, scholarships, or institutions.
They set up a scholarship program.
To organize or schedule a meeting, appointment, or social gathering.
Common for setting up meetings, appointments, or configurations. Neutral formality.
I set up a meeting.
Loanword used for arranging events, dates, or setups. Slightly casual.
I was asked to set up a group date.
To arrange or make preparations, often for travel, accommodation, or logistics.
I set up the business trip.
Idiomatic: to set the stage or make all necessary arrangements for something to happen, sometimes with a negative connotation of doing too much for someone.
He set everything up for me.
To adjust settings, install software, or make a system operational.
The standard verb for configuring settings on devices, apps, or networks.
Set up Wi-Fi.
Loanword directly from 'set up', used for initial setup of computers, accounts, or systems.
Set up a new computer.
Specifically for installing software. Often used together with 設定する.
I installed and set up the necessary software.
To make an innocent person appear guilty, or to arrange a situation to deceive someone.
To frame someone, to entrap. Strongly negative.
He tried to set up his colleague.
Colloquial term for framing or trapping someone. Can also mean to set someone up on a date.
Literally 'to catch in a trap'. Used for literal traps or figurative setups.
Set up the enemy.
To give someone the money, resources, or support to start something, like a business or a new life.
To provide funds. Often used when setting someone up in business.
He set his son up in business.
To set someone up with daily necessities, like when moving into a new apartment.
To assert that one is a certain type of person, often with a nuance of pretension.
To set oneself up as something, often with a negative connotation of being pretentious.
He sets himself up as an expert.
Suffix meaning to act like or pretend to be. Casual and often derogatory.
He sets himself up as a critic.
The English 'set up' is highly context-dependent. Directly translating it as セットアップする or 設置する in every situation will sound unnatural. Always consider the specific meaning first.
設置する is for physical installation (setting up a machine), while 設定する is for configuring settings or arranging meetings. Don't confuse them.
In casual conversation, 作る (to make) is often the most natural way to say 'set up' for things like websites, teams, or funds.
I need to set up my new phone.
They set up a charity to help the homeless.
Can you set up the projector for the presentation?
募金のためのウェブサイトを作った。
I set up a website for fundraising.
新規プロジェクトを立ち上げる。
Set up a new project.
I was completely set up.
I set her up with everything she needed for the new place.