Translation guide
A large building for storing goods. In Japanese, the most common word is 倉庫 (そうこ), but there are several other terms depending on context, tradition, or type of goods stored.
A building for storing commercial goods, inventory, or personal belongings.
The standard, all-purpose word for a warehouse. Used in business, logistics, and everyday contexts.
商品は倉庫に保管されています。
The products are stored in the warehouse.
新しい倉庫を郊外に建てる予定です。
We plan to build a new warehouse in the suburbs.
Specifically a distribution warehouse or logistics center. Common in business and supply chain contexts.
この地域には大きな物流倉庫が集まっています。
Large distribution warehouses are concentrated in this area.
A traditional Japanese storehouse, often with thick earthen walls, used historically for storing valuables like rice or treasures.
Refers to a traditional Japanese storehouse, often with distinctive white plaster walls. Still seen in historical districts and sometimes converted into shops or museums.
古い町並みには立派な蔵が残っています。
Magnificent old storehouses remain in the historic townscape.
Specifically an earthen-walled storehouse, emphasizing the fireproof and durable construction. Often used for storing rice or important documents.
A very large warehouse, often for industrial, agricultural, or bonded storage.
Still the default, but can be modified with prefixes to specify type.
保税倉庫に保管されている貨物は関税が猶予されます。
Goods stored in a bonded warehouse have their customs duties deferred.
A complex or cluster of warehouses. Used in industrial or port areas.
港湾地区には巨大な倉庫群が広がっている。
A vast complex of warehouses stretches across the port area.
A small storage space attached to a house or shop, like a storeroom or shed.
A small storage shed or closet for household items, tools, etc. Not a commercial warehouse.
庭に物置を買ってきて組み立てた。
I bought a shed and assembled it in the garden.
A barn or outbuilding for storing farm produce, tools, or equipment. Often found in rural settings.
倉庫 (そうこ) is the modern, general term for a warehouse used in business. 蔵 (くら) refers to a traditional Japanese storehouse, often with thick earthen walls, and carries a historical or cultural nuance. 物置 (ものおき) is a small storage shed or closet for household items, not a commercial warehouse.
倉庫で在庫を管理する。
Manage inventory in the warehouse.
蔵の見学ツアーに参加した。
I joined a tour of the traditional storehouse.
物置からスコップを取ってくる。
I'll get the shovel from the shed.
English 'warehouse' can sometimes be used loosely for a large storage shed, but in Japanese 倉庫 implies a commercial or industrial scale. For a garden shed or small storage room, use 物置 (ものおき) or 納屋 (なや).
倉庫は箱でいっぱいです。
The warehouse is full of boxes.
彼らは古い倉庫をアパートに改装した。
They converted an old warehouse into apartments.
The earthen storehouse was built to protect household goods from fire.
The harvested vegetables are laid out in the barn.