Translation guide
The English word 'table' covers furniture, data grids, and the verb 'to table' (propose or postpone). This guide focuses on the most common meanings for learners: the physical piece of furniture and the data arrangement.
A piece of furniture with a flat top and legs, used for eating, working, etc.
The most common word for a table in a Western-style room, especially dining tables, coffee tables, etc. Often implies a table with legs and used for meals or gatherings.
テーブルの上に本があります。
There is a book on the table.
夕食のテーブルを準備してください。
Please set the dinner table.
Refers to a desk or table used for studying or working. Often has drawers. Not typically used for dining tables.
子供は机で宿題をしています。
The child is doing homework at the desk.
A more formal or literary term for table, often used in compounds like 食卓 (dining table) or 卓球 (table tennis). Rarely used alone in everyday speech.
食卓を囲んで話しましょう。
Let's talk around the dining table.
An arrangement of data in rows and columns, or a list of information.
The standard word for a table or chart presenting data, such as in documents or spreadsheets.
この表は売上を示しています。
This table shows the sales figures.
表を作成してください。
Please create a table.
Also used in IT contexts for database tables or layout tables. Common in technical fields.
Specifically a list or tabular summary, often used for schedules, price lists, etc.
To formally suggest a plan or idea for discussion, especially in a meeting.
The most direct and common way to say 'to propose' or 'to table a motion'. Used in business and formal settings.
彼は新しい計画を提案した。
He tabled a new plan.
Literally 'to bring up as an agenda item'. Used when putting something on the table for discussion.
その問題を議題に上げましょう。
Let's table that issue.
Means 'to submit' or 'to present'. Can be used for tabling a document or proposal, but less specific than 提案する.
報告書を会議に提出した。
He tabled the report at the meeting.
To delay discussion or decision on a topic. Note: This meaning is primarily American English; in British English, 'table' means to propose.
Idiom meaning 'to shelve' or 'to put on the back burner'. Commonly used for postponing a decision or discussion.
その案は棚上げにされた。
The proposal was tabled (postponed).
General word for 'to postpone'. Can be used in formal contexts.
議論を延期しましょう。
Let's table the discussion (postpone it).
Means 'to defer' or 'to put off'. Often used for decisions or plans.
テーブル is used for dining, coffee, or meeting tables (Western style). 机 is a desk for study or work, often with drawers. Using 机 for a dining table sounds odd.
In everyday documents, 表 (ひょう) is more natural for data tables. テーブル is used in IT/database contexts but may sound like a physical table otherwise.
テーブルをセットしてください。
Please set the table.
データは下の表に示されています。
The data is shown in the table below.
彼女は閉会の動議を提案した。
She tabled a motion to adjourn.
データベースのテーブルを更新する。
Update the database table.
Please see the price list table.
その件は見送ることになった。
It was decided to table the matter.