Translation guide
The English word "tick" has several distinct meanings: a small mark (✓), a blood-sucking arachnid, a short sound (like a clock), a unit of time, and more. This guide covers the most common meanings for learners.
To refer to the symbol ✓ used to indicate correctness or completion.
The most common and direct way to say 'tick' as a check mark. Often used in instructions or forms.
正しい答えにチェックマークを付けてください。
Please put a tick next to the correct answer.
Short for チェックマーク, commonly used in casual contexts or as a verb (チェックする).
リストの項目にチェックを入れてください。
Please put a tick in the box for each item on the list.
Refers specifically to the traditional Japanese check mark shape (レ), often used in grading or forms. Less common in modern digital contexts.
答案用紙にレ点を付ける。
Put a tick on the answer sheet.
To refer to the small blood-sucking creature often found on animals or in grass.
The general term for ticks and mites. In context, it usually means tick. Use this for everyday conversation.
犬にダニが付いていた。
There was a tick on the dog.
ダニに噛まれた。
I was bitten by a tick.
Specifically refers to hard ticks (family Ixodidae), the larger, more familiar blood-sucking ticks. Used in scientific or medical contexts.
To describe the repetitive clicking sound made by a clock or similar device.
Onomatopoeia for a ticking sound, like a clock or timer. Can be used as a noun or adverb.
時計がカチカチと音を立てている。
The clock is ticking.
Onomatopoeia mimicking the 'tick-tock' sound, often used in children's contexts or to emphasize the rhythm.
To refer to a very short period of time, as in 'in a tick' or 'wait a tick'.
The most natural way to say 'in a tick' or 'just a moment'. It's an adverb meaning 'a little' or 'a short time'.
ちょっと待って。
Wait a tick.
ちょっとしたら戻るよ。
I'll be back in a tick.
Means 'soon' or 'immediately'. Can be used for 'in a tick' when emphasizing quickness.
すぐ行くよ。
I'll be there in a tick.
To refer to the smallest increment of time in a system, such as a stock tick or CPU tick.
Direct loanword used in technical contexts like stock trading (e.g., tick data) or computing (e.g., clock tick).
このシステムは1ティックごとにデータを更新します。
This system updates data every tick.
To refer to the strong cotton cover of a mattress or pillow.
General term for mattress cover. If you specifically mean the tightly woven cotton casing, you may need to describe it.
マットレスカバーを洗濯した。
I washed the mattress tick.
Literally 'mattress side fabric', a more precise term for the ticking material. Used in manufacturing or bedding contexts.
このマットレスの側地は通気性が良い。
The ticking on this mattress is breathable.
Ticks are arachnids, not insects. In Japanese, ダニ covers both ticks and mites, but in everyday speech, context makes it clear. If you need to be specific, use マダニ for hard ticks.
ちょっと is very versatile. To mean 'in a tick', you can say ちょっとしたら or ちょっとの間に. It's casual and natural.
Ticks can transmit Lyme disease.
チクタクという時計の音が部屋に響いた。
The tick-tock of the clock echoed in the room.