Machines, devices and software, and the words for using them and fixing them.
Practise this list
From these 41 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.
More about this list
Technology vocabulary in Japanese comes from two sources. The software side is largely English in katakana — アプリ, データ, システム — often shortened in ways English does not shorten. The machine side, and many of the verbs for what you do on a screen, are kanji: 保存, 削除, 設定. Most of those are nouns that become verbs with する.
The words
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Noun (41)
技術technology; technique; skillNounN3
この会社は、高い技術で知られています。This company is known for its advanced technology.
機械machine; machineryNounN3
この機械は、一日に千個の部品を作ります。This machine makes a thousand parts a day.
Not to be confused with 機会, an opportunity, read the same way.
開発developmentNounN3
新しい薬の開発には、長い時間がかかります。Developing a new medicine takes a long time.
Also a verb: 開発する.
発明inventionNounN3
電話の発明は、人の生活を大きく変えました。The invention of the telephone changed people's lives enormously.
Also a verb: 発明する.
進歩progress; advanceNounN3
医学の進歩のおかげで、治る病気が増えました。Thanks to advances in medicine, more illnesses can be cured.
Also a verb: 進歩する.
普及spread; becoming widespreadNounN2
スマートフォンは、あっという間に普及しました。Smartphones caught on in no time at all.
Also a verb: 普及する.
人工知能artificial intelligenceNounN2
人工知能を使った翻訳は、ずいぶん自然になりました。Translation using artificial intelligence has become much more natural.
In conversation usually just AI, read as in English.
ロボットrobotNounN3
この工場では、ロボットが車を組み立てています。In this factory, robots assemble the cars.
自動automaticNounN3
このドアは自動で開きます。This door opens automatically.
Used with で or の; also as a prefix, 自動ドア.
家電household appliancesNounN3
最近の家電は、電気をあまり使いません。Modern household appliances use little electricity.
Short for 家庭用電気製品.
装置device; apparatusNounN3
この建物には、地震の揺れを弱める装置があります。This building has a device that reduces the shaking in an earthquake.
機器equipment; devicesNounN2
会議室の機器の使い方が分かりません。I do not know how to use the equipment in the meeting room.
部品part; componentNounN3
古い型なので、部品がもう手に入りません。It is an old model, so you cannot get the parts any more.
機能function; featureNounN3
この時計には、歩いた距離を測る機能があります。This watch has a feature that measures how far you have walked.
Not to be confused with 昨日, yesterday.
性能performance (of a machine)NounN3
値段は高いですが、カメラの性能がとてもいいです。It is expensive, but the camera performs very well.
機種model (of a device)NounN3
どの機種にするか、まだ決めていません。I have not decided which model to get yet.
最新latest; newestNounN3
最新のパソコンは、前より軽くて速いです。The latest computers are lighter and faster than before.
Used before a noun with の.
故障breakdown; faultNounN3
エレベーターが故障して、階段を使うしかありませんでした。The lift broke down, so we had to take the stairs.
Also a verb: 故障する; for machines, not for people.
不具合malfunction; bugNounN2
アプリに不具合があって、写真が保存できません。There is a bug in the app and it cannot save photos.
再起動restart; rebootNounN3
動かなくなったら、まず再起動してみてください。If it stops responding, try restarting it first.
Also a verb: 再起動する.
電源power supply; power switchNounN3
電源を入れても、画面が暗いままです。Even when I switch it on, the screen stays dark.
Switching on is 電源を入れる; off is 切る.
電池batteryNounN3
リモコンの電池が切れてしまいました。The batteries in the remote control have run out.
Batteries "are cut" when they run out: 電池が切れる.
充電charging (a battery)NounN3
寝ている間に、スマホを充電しておきます。I leave my phone charging while I sleep.
Also a verb: 充電する.
電波signal; radio wavesNounN3
地下では電波が弱くて、電話がつながりません。The signal is weak underground and calls do not go through.
ソフトsoftware; programNounN3
新しいソフトを入れたら、パソコンが遅くなりました。My computer slowed down after I installed some new software.
Short for ソフトウェア; also "soft" as in soft-serve ice cream.
アプリappNounN3
このアプリを使えば、電車の時間がすぐ分かります。With this app you can find train times straight away.
