Translation guide
The English word 'compartment' refers to a separate section or division within a larger space. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on what kind of compartment it is—whether it's a physical room, a section in a bag or vehicle, a train compartment, or a conceptual division. This guide covers the most common ways to express these ideas naturally.
A separate room or enclosed section within a building, vehicle, or piece of furniture.
General word for 'room'. Use when the compartment is a distinct room, like a storage room or a small chamber.
この部屋は倉庫として使われています。
This compartment is used as a storage room.
Refers to a partitioned area or section, often in a larger space like an office or warehouse. More formal than 部屋.
オフィスはいくつかの区画に分かれています。
The office is divided into several compartments.
A partition or divider that creates compartments. Often used for temporary or movable divisions.
仕切りで部屋を二つの区画に分けた。
We divided the room into two compartments with a partition.
A separate pocket or divided space inside a bag, suitcase, toolbox, etc.
Commonly used for compartments in bags or wallets, just like 'pocket' in English.
このバッグにはたくさんのポケットがあります。
This bag has many compartments.
Can also refer to dividers inside a container, creating compartments.
A separate section in a train, especially for sleeping or private seating.
Loanword from English, used specifically for train compartments, especially in European-style sleeper trains.
寝台車のコンパートメントは狭かった。
The sleeper train compartment was small.
Means 'private room' and can be used for private compartments on trains, like on the Shinkansen or sleeper trains.
Refers to a passenger cabin or room, more common in ships or luxury trains.
The small storage space in the dashboard of a car.
Standard term for glove compartment.
車検証はグローブボックスに入っています。
The vehicle registration is in the glove compartment.
Generic term for a small storage compartment, can be used for glove box but less specific.
A metaphorical compartment, like a mental category or a separate part of a system.
Used for classification or division into categories, like compartments of the mind or organizational units.
彼は仕事とプライベートを明確に区分している。
He strictly compartmentalizes work and private life.
Loanword for 'category', often used when talking about mental compartments.
The English word 'compartment' covers many specific objects. In Japanese, you usually need to specify the type of compartment (room, pocket, train cabin, etc.). Using a generic word like 区画 for a bag compartment would sound unnatural.
The toolbox has compartments so you can organize parts.
Literally 'storage space', used for compartments in bags or organizers, but sounds a bit technical.
このリュックにはノートパソコン用の収納スペースがあります。
This backpack has a compartment for a laptop.
I reserved a private compartment on the Shinkansen.
豪華列車の客室はとても快適です。
The compartments on the luxury train are very comfortable.
ダッシュボードの小物入れに地図をしまった。
I put the map in the glove compartment.
情報をカテゴリーに分けて整理する。
Organize information by dividing it into compartments.