Translation guide
The English word 'tank' can refer to a military vehicle, a large container for liquids or gases, or be used as a verb meaning to fail or plummet. This guide covers the most common Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
An armored fighting vehicle with tracks and a large gun.
The standard word for a military tank. Used in news, history, and everyday conversation.
A large container for storing or transporting liquids, gases, or other substances.
The most common word for a storage tank, such as a water tank, fuel tank, or fish tank.
To fail completely, perform very poorly, or drop sharply in value.
戦車 (sensha) only means a military tank. For a water tank or fuel tank, use タンク (tanku) or 水槽 (suisō).
Japanese does not use タンクする as a verb meaning 'to fail'. Use phrases like 大失敗する or 暴落する instead.
戦車が街を走っていた。
Tanks were driving through the city.
Loanword from English, sometimes used in games or casual contexts, but 戦車 is more common for actual military vehicles.
ゲームでタンクを操作する。
I control a tank in the game.
水のタンクが空になった。
The water tank is empty.
ガソリンタンクを満タンにした。
I filled up the gas tank.
Specifically a water tank or aquarium. Used for fish tanks or laboratory water tanks.
熱帯魚の水槽を掃除した。
I cleaned the tropical fish tank.
A water storage tank, often for buildings or emergency use. More technical.
ビルの貯水槽を点検する。
Inspect the building's water storage tank.
Used for prices, stocks, or values that plummet or crash. 'Tank' in financial contexts.
株価が暴落した。
The stock price tanked.
Colloquial for a sharp drop or nosedive, often used for ratings, popularity, or performance.
視聴率がガタ落ちした。
The ratings tanked.
Literally 'to sink', but can metaphorically mean to fail or be defeated, similar to 'tank' in sports or games.
チームが初戦で沈んだ。
The team tanked in the first game.