Translation guide
The English word "combination" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese. The most common equivalent is 組み合わせ (kumiawase), but depending on whether you mean a mixture, a pairing, a set, or a coordinated action, different words and patterns are used.
Referring to a mixture of elements, ingredients, or factors that produce a combined effect.
The most general and common word for a combination of things, often implying a deliberate selection or arrangement.
色の組み合わせがきれいですね。
The color combination is beautiful.
この料理はスパイスの組み合わせが絶妙だ。
This dish has an exquisite combination of spices.
Loanword from English, often used for blends in food, music, or casual contexts.
このジュースはフルーツミックスです。
This juice is a fruit mix.
Used for precise combinations of ingredients or materials, often in technical, industrial, or pharmaceutical contexts.
この薬は有効成分の配合が重要です。
The combination of active ingredients in this medicine is important.
Describing two or more things that are meant to be used together, like a lock and key, or a coordinated outfit.
Commonly used for a set of items that form a unit, like a tool set, a meal set, or a matching pair.
このドレッシングとサラダは最高の組み合わせだ。
This dressing and salad are the best combination.
鍵と錠のセットを買った。
I bought a lock and key set.
Also works for sets, but セット is more common for commercial or packaged sets.
Referring to people working together, combining efforts, or coordinating moves.
Cooperation, coordination, or linkage between people, organizations, or systems.
チームの連携が勝利の鍵だった。
The team's combination (coordination) was the key to victory.
Cooperation, collaboration. More general than 連携, often used for working together toward a common goal.
Referring to a code or sequence used to open a lock or access something.
PIN or security code. The standard term for a numeric combination used for locks, ATMs, etc.
スーツケースの暗証番号を忘れた。
I forgot the combination for my suitcase.
Literally 'combination number', used for lock combinations but less common than 暗証番号.
金庫の組み合わせ番号を変えた。
I changed the combination of the safe.
The mathematical concept of selecting items from a set where order does not matter.
The standard mathematical term for combination (as opposed to permutation).
組み合わせの数を計算してください。
Please calculate the number of combinations.
組み合わせ emphasizes the act of combining or the resulting arrangement. セット is a set of items that belong together, often sold as a unit. ミックス is a blend, often of ingredients or audio tracks.
When talking about people working together, directly translating 'combination' as 組み合わせ can sound unnatural. Use 連携 or 協力 instead.
鍵の番号は何ですか？
What's the combination for the lock?
In casual speech, 番号 (number) is often used instead of the full term 暗証番号.
努力と才能の組み合わせが彼女の成功につながった。
A combination of hard work and talent led to her success.
この服の組み合わせはおしゃれだ。
This outfit combination is stylish.
Loanword often used in sports or teamwork contexts for a combination play or coordinated effort.
彼らのコンビネーションは完璧だ。
Their combination is perfect.
両社の協力で新製品が生まれた。
The combination of the two companies' efforts produced a new product.
Also used in mathematics, but 組み合わせ is more common in textbooks.
数学でコンビネーションを習った。
We learned about combinations in math.