Translation guide
The English word 'vector' has distinct meanings in mathematics, physics, biology, and computing. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese term for each context.
Express the concept of a vector in math or physics, such as force, velocity, or a geometric arrow.
The most common and general term for 'vector' in mathematics and physics. Used in all levels of education and technical contexts.
力はベクトルで表されます。
Force is represented as a vector.
このベクトルの大きさを計算してください。
Please calculate the magnitude of this vector.
An alternative katakana spelling of 'vector', sometimes seen in older texts or specific fields. Less common than ベクトル.
この方程式はベクター場を記述する。
This equation describes a vector field.
Refer to an organism (like a mosquito) that transmits a pathogen, or a vehicle for gene delivery.
Literally 'mediator' or 'carrier'. Used for disease vectors like mosquitoes or ticks. More formal than ベクター in biology.
蚊はマラリアの媒介者です。
Mosquitoes are vectors of malaria.
Commonly used in molecular biology for cloning vectors or viral vectors. Often appears in katakana in scientific contexts.
Specifically 'vector animal', used when emphasizing the animal host. Less common than 媒介者.
ダニはライム病の媒介動物です。
Ticks are vectors for Lyme disease.
Refer to a data structure that holds elements, often in programming or graphics.
Used in programming (e.g., C++ std::vector) and computer graphics. The standard term.
このベクトルに要素を追加してください。
Please add an element to this vector.
Means 'array'. In some contexts, a vector is a type of array. Use when the distinction between array and vector is not critical.
Refer to the direction of travel of an aircraft or vessel.
Means 'course' or 'path'. Used for the direction a vehicle is heading. Not a direct translation of 'vector' but conveys the meaning in navigation contexts.
パイロットは新しい進路を設定した。
The pilot set a new vector.
Sometimes used in technical aviation contexts, but 進路 is more natural for general direction.
Both are katakana renderings of 'vector'. ベクトル is overwhelmingly more common in mathematics, physics, and computing. ベクター appears occasionally in biology and older texts, but ベクトル is generally preferred.
数学では「ベクトル」を使います。
In mathematics, we use 'ベクトル'.
While ベクトル is understood in technical biology contexts, 媒介者 (ばいかいしゃ) or simply describing the carrier (e.g., 蚊が媒介する) is more natural in general conversation.
この病気は蚊によって媒介されます。
This disease is transmitted by mosquitoes.
この実験ではプラスミドベクターを使います。
In this experiment, we use a plasmid vector.
データは配列として保存されます。
The data is stored as an array (vector).
航空管制官が航空機にベクトルを指示した。
The air traffic controller gave the aircraft a vector.