Translation guide
The English word "structure" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical buildings and frameworks to abstract systems and organization. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese equivalents for English-speaking learners, organized by the intended meaning.
Referring to a building, edifice, or something that has been built.
General word for a building or structure. Most common and natural for man-made constructions.
あの建物は何ですか。
What is that structure?
この建物は100年前に建てられました。
This structure was built 100 years ago.
More formal term for a structure or edifice, often used in legal or architectural contexts.
この地域には歴史的な建造物が多い。
There are many historical structures in this area.
Technical term for a structural object, used in engineering. Emphasizes the structural aspect.
橋は複雑な構造物だ。
A bridge is a complex structure.
Referring to the way something is organized or put together, often abstract.
The most common and versatile word for 'structure' in the sense of framework, composition, or makeup. Used for physical objects, organizations, societies, etc.
この文の構造を分析してください。
Please analyze the structure of this sentence.
会社の組織構造が変わった。
The company's organizational structure has changed.
Emphasizes the mechanism or how something works. Often used for systems, devices, or social structures.
Focuses on the composition or makeup of something, often used for teams, committees, or artistic works.
Refers to the way something is assembled or put together, often for physical objects or logical arguments.
Referring to an organized body or system, such as a company, government, or social institution.
The standard word for an organization, institution, or structured group. Also used for biological tissue.
彼は大きな組織で働いている。
He works in a large structure (organization).
この組織は非営利です。
This structure is non-profit.
Often used for institutional or mechanical structures, such as government bodies or machinery.
Refers to a systematic structure, such as a body of knowledge, philosophy, or rules.
Referring to the arrangement of words, sentences, or language patterns.
Used for grammatical structure, sentence structure, etc. Same word as for physical framework.
日本語の文法構造は英語と違う。
The grammatical structure of Japanese is different from English.
Specifically refers to sentence patterns or structures in language learning.
Referring to the organization of data in computer science.
The standard term for data structure in computing. Often used as-is in technical contexts.
このアルゴリズムは効率的なデータ構造を使っている。
This algorithm uses an efficient data structure.
構造 (こうぞう) is the most general term for 'structure' as a framework or arrangement. 仕組み (しくみ) emphasizes the mechanism or how something works, often implying a functional aspect. 構成 (こうせい) focuses on the composition or makeup, especially of groups or creative works.
The loanword ストラクチャー exists but is mainly used in specific business or technical jargon. In most cases, it's better to use a native Japanese word like 構造 or 組織.
Please explain the structure of this system.
社会の仕組みは複雑だ。
The structure of society is complex.
委員会の構成を見直す必要がある。
We need to review the structure of the committee.
この家具の組み立て方は簡単だ。
The structure of this furniture is simple.
Reform the structure of the government.
この理論の体系は難しい。
The structure of this theory is difficult.
この文型を覚えてください。
Please memorize this sentence structure.