Translation guide
A tranquiliser is a drug used to reduce anxiety, agitation, or tension. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 精神安定剤, but other terms exist depending on context and strength.
To refer to a drug that reduces anxiety or tension without necessarily causing sleep.
The standard, neutral term for a tranquiliser or anti-anxiety medication. Literally 'mental stabilizer'.
医者に精神安定剤を処方してもらった。
I got a prescription for a tranquiliser from the doctor.
A direct loanword from English, used in medical or technical contexts. Less common in everyday speech.
このトランキライザーは即効性がある。
This tranquiliser is fast-acting.
Specifically 'anti-anxiety drug'. Used in medical contexts to distinguish from sedatives or antipsychotics.
抗不安薬の一種であるベンゾジアゼピン系は依存性に注意が必要だ。
Benzodiazepines, a type of anti-anxiety drug, require caution due to their addictive potential.
To refer to a drug that calms severely agitated patients or induces sedation, often used in psychiatric settings.
A sedative or calming agent, often used for stronger tranquilising effects or before medical procedures.
手術の前に鎮静剤を投与された。
I was given a sedative before the surgery.
A direct loan from English 'major tranquiliser', used in psychiatric jargon for antipsychotic drugs. Rare in general conversation.
統合失調症の治療にはメジャートランキライザーが使われることがある。
Major tranquilizers are sometimes used in the treatment of schizophrenia.
To refer to a drug used to sedate or calm animals, such as in veterinary medicine or wildlife management.
Explicitly 'animal tranquiliser'. Used when clarity is needed.
動物園では、移動の際に動物用精神安定剤を使うことがある。
Zoos sometimes use animal tranquilizers when transporting animals.
A tranquiliser gun, literally 'anesthesia gun'. Often used when referring to the delivery method rather than the drug itself.
野生のクマを麻酔銃で眠らせた。
They put the wild bear to sleep with a tranquiliser gun.
精神安定剤 (seishin anteizai) is the general term for anti-anxiety medication or minor tranquilizers. 鎮静剤 (chinseizai) implies stronger sedation and is often used in medical settings for calming patients or inducing sleep. In everyday conversation, 精神安定剤 is more common for anxiety relief.
The English word 'tranquiliser' can be directly borrowed as トランキライザー, but this sounds technical or old-fashioned. In most contexts, 精神安定剤 is more natural.