Translation guide
A flat piece used for covering surfaces like floors, walls, or roofs, or a piece in a game like mahjong. The most common Japanese word is タイル, but different materials and contexts use different terms.
A flat, usually square piece of ceramic, stone, or similar material used to cover floors, walls, or other surfaces.
The most common and general word for tile, especially ceramic or stone tiles used in construction and interior design. A loanword from English.
浴室の壁に白いタイルを貼った。
We put white tiles on the bathroom wall.
このタイルはイタリア製です。
These tiles are made in Italy.
Specifically refers to roof tiles, traditionally made of clay. Not used for floor or wall tiles.
日本家屋の屋根には瓦が使われている。
Japanese houses have roof tiles.
Floor tile, especially traditional Japanese clay tiles used for flooring. Rarely used in modern contexts.
古い家の土間に敷瓦が敷いてある。
The old house has clay floor tiles in the earthen floor area.
A small, flat piece used in games like mahjong, dominoes, or Scrabble.
General term for game tiles, especially mahjong tiles. Also used for dominoes and similar game pieces.
Sometimes used for game tiles in a Western context, like Scrabble tiles, but 牌 is more common for traditional Asian games.
スクラブルのタイルを取る。
Pick a Scrabble tile.
A lightweight panel used in suspended ceilings, often for sound absorption.
Specifically ceiling tiles, often used in offices. Combines 天井 (ceiling) with タイル.
オフィスの天井タイルを交換する。
Replace the office ceiling tiles.
Acoustic panel, emphasizing sound absorption. Not always a tile shape, but used for similar purposes.
防音室に吸音パネルを設置した。
We installed acoustic panels in the soundproof room.
A square of carpet designed to be laid in a grid, often used in offices.
Standard term for carpet tiles. A direct loanword combination.
カーペットタイルは張り替えが簡単だ。
Carpet tiles are easy to replace.
Less common variant, same meaning.
タイルカーペットを敷き詰める。
Lay down carpet tiles.
Referring to the concept of tile as a surface covering or a grid pattern.
Tiled surface or the act of tiling. Used as a noun or in compound form.
キッチンはタイル張りだ。
The kitchen is tiled.
Tile pattern, often used in design or textiles.
タイル模様のスカート。
A skirt with a tile pattern.
タイル is the general term for tiles, especially ceramic or stone tiles for walls and floors. 瓦 specifically means roof tiles, usually made of clay. Using 瓦 for a bathroom tile would be incorrect.
屋根瓦がずれている。
The roof tiles are out of place.
While タイル can be used for Western game tiles like Scrabble, traditional Asian games like mahjong use 牌 (はい). Using タイル for mahjong tiles may sound unnatural to some speakers.
麻雀牌を洗う。
Shuffle the mahjong tiles.