Translation guide
A capstan is a rotating machine part used to apply force to cables, ropes, or tape. In nautical contexts, it's a vertical winch for hauling anchors or mooring lines. In audio/video, it's the rotating shaft that drives tape in a recorder. The Japanese terms differ by context.
The learner wants to refer to the mechanical device on a ship used to haul in heavy ropes or anchor chains.
The direct loanword from English, widely understood in nautical and technical contexts.
船員たちはキャプスタンを使って錨を巻き上げた。
The sailors used the capstan to haul up the anchor.
A more technical Japanese term meaning 'anchor windlass', often used for larger or powered capstans.
この船の揚錨機は電動式だ。
This ship's capstan is electric-powered.
General term for 'winch', which can include capstans but is less specific. Often used for horizontal winches.
May not clearly distinguish a vertical capstan from other winches.
ウインチでロープを巻き取る。
Wind the rope with the winch.
The learner is talking about the part in a tape recorder, VCR, or film projector that pulls the tape at a constant speed.
The standard term in electronics and media technology, directly borrowed from English.
テープレコーダーのキャプスタンが回転しない。
The capstan of the tape recorder isn't rotating.
Means 'drive shaft' and can be used in technical descriptions, but is less specific than キャプスタン.
The learner wants a generic term for a rotating cylinder used to apply tension or pull cables, not necessarily on a ship.
The loanword is used in industrial and engineering contexts for any vertical drum winch.
工場のキャプスタンでケーブルを巻いている。
They are winding the cable with the factory capstan.
A generic term for 'winding machine', which can include capstans but is broader.
この巻き取り機はキャプスタン式です。
This winding machine is a capstan type.
キャプスタンはテープを一定速度で送る駆動軸です。
The capstan is a drive shaft that feeds the tape at a constant speed.