Translation guide
A wrench is a tool used for gripping and turning nuts, bolts, or pipes. This guide covers the most common Japanese terms for wrenches, including adjustable wrenches, spanners, and pipe wrenches, with usage notes for learners.
A tool with a movable jaw for gripping nuts and bolts of various sizes.
The most common term for an adjustable wrench in everyday Japanese. Often shortened to 'モンキー' in casual contexts.
Please tighten the bolt with the adjustable wrench.
A more technical term, often used in professional or mechanical settings.
This adjustable wrench is easy to adjust in size.
A wrench with a fixed opening, often used for specific nut sizes. In British English, 'spanner' is synonymous with 'wrench', but in Japanese, it refers to a fixed-size tool.
The standard term for a fixed-size open-end wrench. Note that in Japanese, 'スパナ' does not include adjustable wrenches.
Please get the 10mm spanner.
A generic loanword for 'wrench', but often implies a fixed-size wrench in technical contexts. Can be ambiguous, so 'スパナ' is clearer for fixed sizes.
A heavy wrench with serrated jaws for gripping and turning pipes.
The standard term for a pipe wrench, used in plumbing and construction.
I turned the water pipe with a pipe wrench.
A wrench that measures and limits the amount of torque applied to a fastener.
Used in automotive and mechanical work to apply precise torque.
Tighten to the specified torque with a torque wrench.
An L-shaped tool used to drive bolts and screws with hexagonal sockets.
Literally 'hexagonal wrench', the most common term for an Allen key.
I assembled the furniture with a hex wrench.
A loanword from 'Allen key', understood but less common than '六角レンチ'.
An Allen key is included.
To twist or pull something suddenly and forcefully.
In Japanese, 'スパナ' specifically means a fixed-size open-end wrench (spanner). 'レンチ' is a broader term that can refer to various wrenches, but in technical contexts, it often implies a fixed-size wrench. 'モンキーレンチ' is the go-to term for an adjustable wrench. To avoid confusion, use 'スパナ' for fixed sizes and 'モンキーレンチ' for adjustable ones.
While 'レンチ' is a loanword from English, it is not a catch-all term. In Japanese, it may be interpreted as a specific type of wrench depending on context. When in doubt, use the specific term like 'スパナ' or 'モンキーレンチ'.
This wrench doesn't fit the size.
彼女はドアノブをもぎ取った。
She wrenched the doorknob off.