Translation guide
The English word "volume" covers several distinct concepts: loudness of sound, a book or part of a series, physical space or capacity, and quantity or amount. Each meaning has different natural Japanese equivalents.
To refer to the loudness or level of sound, such as adjusting volume on a device.
The standard word for audio volume. Used for TVs, music players, etc.
音量を上げてください。
Please turn up the volume.
テレビの音量が大きすぎる。
The TV volume is too loud.
Loanword from English, commonly used in casual contexts for audio volume. Also used for 'volume' as in hair volume or food portion size.
ボリュームを下げて。
Turn down the volume.
To refer to a single book, especially one that is part of a larger set or series.
Used for volumes of a series (manga, novels, etc.). Often combined with a number.
この漫画は全１２巻です。
This manga is 12 volumes in total.
第３巻を読んでいます。
I'm reading volume 3.
Counter for books. Used when counting physical books, not necessarily part of a series.
このシリーズは３冊あります。
This series has three volumes.
A formal or literary term for a book or volume, often used for scholarly or historical works.
To refer to the amount of space something occupies or the capacity of a container.
Scientific/technical term for volume as a measure of three-dimensional space.
この箱の体積を計算してください。
Please calculate the volume of this box.
Capacity or internal volume of a container, like a tank or a room.
Bulk, volume, or mass; often used in everyday contexts for things that take up space, like luggage or hair.
荷物のかさが大きい。
The luggage has a lot of volume.
To refer to the total amount or quantity of something, such as sales, traffic, or data.
General word for quantity or amount. Used for volume of sales, data, work, etc.
取引量が増えた。
The volume of transactions increased.
データ量が大きすぎる。
The data volume is too large.
Also used for quantity/amount in business or casual contexts, similar to English 'volume'.
Amount or quantity, often used for portions or measurable amounts.
音量 is the standard, neutral term for audio volume. ボリューム is a loanword often used in casual speech or on device interfaces. Both are widely understood, but 音量 is safer in formal contexts.
量 is the general native Japanese word for quantity/amount. ボリューム is a loanword that can sound more casual or business-like. Use 量 for neutral descriptions.
The loanword ボリューム is not used for books. Use 巻 or 冊 instead.
Precious volumes are kept in the library.
このタンクの容積は１００リットルです。
The volume of this tank is 100 liters.
仕事のボリュームが多い。
The volume of work is high.
この書類の分量を確認してください。
Please check the volume of these documents.