Translation guide
The English word "terminal" has several distinct meanings: a transportation hub (airport, bus, train), a computer interface, an electrical connection point, and a medical condition. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each context.
A building or area where passengers begin or end a journey, such as at an airport, bus station, or train station.
The most common and direct translation for 'terminal' in transportation contexts. Used for airports, bus terminals, and ferry terminals.
空港のターミナルで待ち合わせましょう。
Let's meet at the airport terminal.
バスターミナルは駅の隣にあります。
The bus terminal is next to the station.
Literally 'departure and arrival place', used for bus or ferry terminals, especially in official names.
高速バスの発着所はどこですか。
Where is the express bus terminal?
Means 'station'. In some contexts, a train terminal may simply be called 駅, but this is less specific and only works for train terminals.
東京駅は大きなターミナル駅です。
Tokyo Station is a major terminal station.
A text-based interface for entering commands into a computer, or a device for accessing a computer system.
The standard word for a computer terminal or device that connects to a main system. Can refer to hardware or a software terminal emulator.
端末からサーバーにログインしてください。
Please log in to the server from the terminal.
この端末は古いので、新しいのに交換します。
This terminal is old, so we'll replace it with a new one.
Also used for computer terminals, especially in software contexts like 'terminal emulator'. Often interchangeable with 端末.
More explicitly refers to a terminal device (machine). Slightly more formal or technical.
A point of connection for closing an electric circuit, such as on a battery or device.
The standard term for an electrical terminal, such as on a battery, connector, or circuit board.
バッテリーのプラス端子に赤いケーブルをつなぎます。
Connect the red cable to the positive terminal of the battery.
端子が錆びているので、掃除してください。
The terminal is rusty, so please clean it.
Sometimes used in technical contexts, but 端子 is more common for physical connection points.
Referring to a disease that is incurable and will eventually cause death, or a patient in such a condition.
Means 'terminal' as in the final stage of a disease. Used as an adjective before nouns like 癌 (cancer) or 患者 (patient).
彼は末期癌と診断されました。
He was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
末期患者のケアは重要です。
Care for terminal patients is important.
Refers to the terminal phase or end-of-life stage. Often used in medical or caregiving contexts.
Occasionally used in medical contexts as a loanword, but 末期 is much more common and natural.
ターミナル is a versatile loanword used for transportation hubs and computer terminals. 端末 specifically refers to computer terminals or devices. 端子 is exclusively for electrical connection points. Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
空港ターミナルで端末を使って仕事をした。
I worked on a terminal at the airport terminal.
While ターミナル is understood in many contexts, for electrical connection points, always use 端子. Using ターミナル might sound unnatural or lead to misunderstandings.
ターミナルを開いてコマンドを入力します。
Open the terminal and enter the command.
各店舗に端末機を設置しました。
We installed terminals at each store.
Connect the ground wire to this terminal.
終末期医療について話し合う必要があります。
We need to discuss terminal care.
I am a specialist in terminal care.