Translation guide
A base station is a fixed communication point, most commonly for mobile phones, two-way radios, or wireless networks. In Japanese, the term depends on the context: mobile phone base stations are usually 基地局 (kichi kyoku), while cordless phone or wireless LAN base units are often 親機 (oyaki).
The tower or fixed installation that connects mobile phones to the network.
Standard term for a mobile phone base station. Used in technical and everyday contexts.
新しい基地局が設置された。
A new base station was installed.
この地域は基地局が少ない。
This area has few base stations.
Explicitly 'mobile phone base station'. Used when clarity is needed.
携帯電話基地局の設置に反対する住民もいる。
Some residents oppose the installation of mobile phone base stations.
The main unit of a cordless phone system or a wireless access point that connects to handsets or devices.
Literally 'parent device'. Used for the base unit of cordless phones, intercoms, or sometimes wireless routers. The handset is 子機 (koki).
親機と子機の距離が遠すぎると通話が途切れる。
If the distance between the base unit and the handset is too far, the call will be cut off.
新しい親機を買った。
I bought a new base unit.
A fixed radio transceiver used for dispatch or amateur radio.
Same term as for mobile phones. Context makes the meaning clear.
アマチュア無線の基地局を開設した。
I set up an amateur radio base station.
Literally 'fixed station'. Used in radio regulations to distinguish from mobile stations.
この無線機は固定局として使用できます。
This radio can be used as a fixed station.
A reference point for differential GPS or surveying.
Used for GPS reference stations or surveying base points.
GPS基準局からの補正データを受信する。
Receive correction data from the GPS base station.
基地局 is for large-scale infrastructure like cell towers. 親機 is for consumer devices like cordless phones. Using 基地局 for a home phone base would sound odd.
家の親機が壊れた。
The base unit at home broke.
Loanword from English. Used for some cordless phone or wireless LAN base stations, but less common than 親機.
このベースステーションは最大5台の子機を接続できます。
This base station can connect up to five handsets.