Translation guide
The English word 'cap' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: headwear, a lid or cover, an upper limit, and a few other uses. Each meaning is presented with natural Japanese expressions.
A soft, close-fitting hat, often with a visor, like a baseball cap.
General word for hat or cap. Use this in most situations.
彼は赤い帽子をかぶっている。
He is wearing a red cap.
Loanword specifically for a baseball-style cap or similar casual cap.
新しいキャップを買った。
I bought a new cap.
Literally 'baseball cap'. Used when you need to be specific.
彼はお気に入りの野球帽をかぶっている。
He's wearing his favorite baseball cap.
A removable cover for a bottle, pen, container, etc.
Loanword used for bottle caps, pen caps, and similar small covers.
ペンのキャップをなくした。
I lost the cap of my pen.
ボトルのキャップをしっかり閉めてください。
Please close the bottle cap tightly.
General word for lid or cover. Used for pots, jars, boxes, etc. Not typically used for pen caps.
鍋のふたを取ってください。
Please take the lid off the pot.
Kanji for ふた. Same meaning but more formal/written.
瓶の蓋を開ける。
Open the lid of the jar.
A maximum amount, number, or restriction.
Standard word for upper limit or maximum.
参加人数に上限はありますか？
Is there a cap on the number of participants?
予算の上限を設定する。
Set a cap on the budget.
Restriction or limit. Often used in rules or regulations.
Loanword used in business or technical contexts for a cap on spending, etc.
To do something better or more impressive than before; to finish or complete something in a notable way.
To finish off, to wrap up. Often used for ending an event or story in a satisfying way.
彼のスピーチが会議を締めくくった。
His speech capped off the meeting.
To exceed, to surpass. Used when one thing is greater than another.
To put a cap or cover on something, or to cover the top of something.
To put a lid on something.
鍋にふたをしてください。
Please cap the pot.
To put a cap on (e.g., a pen or bottle).
ペンにキャップをしてください。
Please cap the pen.
キャップ is mainly for small, often screw-on or snap-on covers (bottles, pens). ふた is for larger lids (pots, jars, boxes). Using キャップ for a pot lid sounds unnatural.
帽子 is the general word for any hat. キャップ specifically means a baseball-style cap. If you're not sure, use 帽子.
速度制限を守ってください。
Please observe the speed cap.
Put a cap on expenses.
今年の売り上げは去年を上回った。
This year's sales capped last year's.