Translation guide
A device to reduce noise, especially on a firearm or vehicle exhaust. In Japanese, the term depends on the context: firearms use 消音器, while vehicles use サイレンサー or マフラー.
A device attached to a gun to reduce the sound of firing.
The standard term for a firearm silencer. Literally 'sound suppressor'.
A device in a vehicle's exhaust system to reduce engine noise.
Any device that reduces noise, not specific to firearms or vehicles.
In Japanese, マフラー can refer to a winter scarf or a vehicle's muffler. Context usually makes it clear, but be aware of the ambiguity.
彼はピストルに消音器を取り付けた。
He attached a silencer to his pistol.
Loanword from English 'suppressor', often used in technical or military contexts.
特殊部隊はサプレッサー付きの銃を使用した。
The special forces used guns with suppressors.
The most common term for a car's muffler/silencer. Note: マフラー also means 'scarf'.
車のマフラーが壊れて、音がうるさい。
The car's muffler is broken and it's noisy.
Loanword from English 'silencer', used for vehicles, especially motorcycles.
バイクのサイレンサーを交換した。
I replaced the motorcycle's silencer.
Can be used for vehicle silencers, but less common than マフラー or サイレンサー.
この車の消音器は高性能だ。
This car's silencer is high-performance.
General term for a sound-dampening device, used in machinery, HVAC, etc.
工場の機械に消音装置を設置した。
We installed silencers on the factory machines.
Also used for general noise reduction, especially in technical contexts.
エアコンのサイレンサーが故障した。
The air conditioner's silencer broke.