Translation guide
The English word "deck" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a ship's deck, a deck of cards, a wooden outdoor platform (like a porch), and a tape deck or similar device. Other meanings like "to deck someone" (punch) or "to deck out" (decorate) are less common and not covered here.
The flat surface on a ship or boat where people stand.
The most common and direct loanword for a ship's deck. Used in everyday conversation.
船のデッキで夕日を見た。
I watched the sunset from the ship's deck.
The traditional Japanese word for a ship's deck. Slightly more formal or technical than デッキ.
甲板に出て風を感じた。
I went out on deck and felt the wind.
A set of playing cards.
The standard term for a deck of cards, borrowed from English. Used in games like poker, Magic: The Gathering, etc.
トランプのデッキをシャッフルして。
Shuffle the deck of cards.
Literally 'one set of playing cards'. More descriptive, but less common than デッキ in casual gaming contexts.
新しい一組のトランプを買った。
I bought a new deck of cards.
A flat wooden structure attached to a house, used for sitting or dining outdoors.
Commonly used for a wooden deck attached to a house, similar to a porch or patio. Often part of a garden or balcony.
週末は家のデッキでバーベキューをした。
We had a barbecue on the deck at home over the weekend.
Specifically emphasizes a wooden deck. Often used in real estate or home improvement contexts.
A device for playing or recording cassette tapes, or a component of a stereo system.
Short for 'tape deck' or 'cassette deck'. Used for audio equipment.
カセットデッキが壊れてしまった。
The cassette deck broke.
Explicitly 'tape deck'. Less common than just デッキ in context.
The English verb 'to deck' (meaning to punch someone or to decorate) does not translate to デッキ. For 'to punch', use 殴る (なぐる). For 'to decorate', use 飾る (かざる).
I want to live in a house with a wooden deck.
I sent the old tape deck for repair.