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.
Let's meet at the airport terminal.
The bus terminal is next to the station.
Literally 'departure and arrival place', used for bus or ferry terminals, especially in official names.
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.
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.
Please log in to the server from the terminal.
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.
Connect the red cable to the positive terminal of the battery.
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).
He was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
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.
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.
This terminal is old, so we'll replace it with a new one.
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.
このターミナルにアース線を接続します。
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.
ターミナルケアの専門家です。
I am a specialist in terminal care.