Translation guide
The English word 'strain' has several distinct meanings. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether you mean physical tension, mental stress, filtering, overexertion, or a biological strain.
When you want to talk about physical force, pressure, or tension applied to an object, material, or body part.
A general word for burden, load, or strain on something, both physical and metaphorical. Commonly used for strain on machines, body parts, or systems.
この運動は膝に負担をかけます。
This exercise puts strain on your knees.
重い荷物が腰に負担になっている。
The heavy luggage is a strain on my lower back.
Technical term for tension or tensile strain, used in physics and engineering.
この素材は高い張力に耐えられます。
This material can withstand high strain.
Refers to strain as deformation or distortion in materials science. Also used metaphorically for distortion or adverse effects.
金属にひずみが生じた。
Strain occurred in the metal.
When referring to psychological pressure, stress, or mental burden.
The most common and natural word for mental or emotional strain. A loanword from English, widely used in daily conversation.
仕事のストレスで眠れない。
I can't sleep due to the strain of work.
人間関係のストレスを感じている。
I feel strain from personal relationships.
Refers to nervous tension or mental strain, often in anticipation of something. Can also mean strained relations.
A more formal expression meaning mental burden or psychological strain.
介護は大きな精神的負担になることがある。
Caregiving can be a great mental strain.
When you want to express the action of straining liquid (e.g., draining pasta, straining tea).
The standard verb for straining liquids through a sieve or cloth. Transitive verb.
パスタのお湯をこしてください。
Please strain the pasta water.
茶葉をこしてから飲む。
Strain the tea leaves before drinking.
A more technical term for filtration, used in scientific or industrial contexts.
溶液を濾過して不純物を取り除く。
Strain the solution to remove impurities.
When you strain a muscle or body part by overusing it.
A common verb meaning to hurt or injure a body part through strain. Transitive.
肩を痛めてしまった。
I strained my shoulder.
Specifically means to strain or pull a muscle. Often used for sudden sharp pain.
首の筋を違えたみたいだ。
I think I strained a muscle in my neck.
Means to be eager or enthusiastic, but can imply overexerting oneself. Often used in the phrase 張り切りすぎる (overdo it).
When referring to a strain of virus, bacteria, or plant/animal breed.
Used for strains of viruses, bacteria, or cultivated plant varieties.
新しいウイルスの株が発見された。
A new strain of the virus was discovered.
このイネの株は病気に強い。
This strain of rice is resistant to disease.
A more formal or scientific term for strain, lineage, or system. Used in biology and breeding.
When you strain to do something, meaning you try very hard, often physically.
Literally 'put strength into', used for straining physically to lift or push something.
彼は重い箱を持ち上げようと力を入れた。
He strained to lift the heavy box.
Means to overdo it or push oneself too hard, often resulting in strain.
あまり無理をしないでください。
Don't strain yourself too much.
Means to endeavor or strive, but can be used for mental effort. More formal.
While ストレス is perfect for mental/emotional strain, it is not used for physical tension on materials or body parts. Use 負担 or 張力 instead.
この橋は大きな負担に耐えられる。
This bridge can withstand great strain.
負担 can be used for both physical and mental burden, but ストレス is specifically psychological. For physical load on a joint, use 負担; for work-related anxiety, use ストレス.
試験の前はいつも緊張する。
I always feel strain before exams.
両国の関係に緊張が走った。
Strain ran through the relations between the two countries.
I strained my back by overdoing it.
このマウスの系統は実験によく使われる。
This strain of mouse is often used in experiments.
彼は平静を装おうと努めた。
He strained to appear calm.