Translation guide
The English word "dock" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a structure for boats, the area in a courtroom, the act of a spacecraft joining, and docking a tail or pay. Each meaning uses different Japanese words.
A structure where boats or ships can be moored, loaded, or repaired.
General term for a pier or wharf where boats dock. Common in everyday speech.
船が波止場に着いた。
The boat arrived at the dock.
Often used for larger commercial docks or piers, especially in ports.
埠頭で貨物を積み込む。
They load cargo at the dock.
Loanword from English, often used for a dock where ships are repaired (dry dock) or a marina.
船をドックに入れる。
Put the ship into dock.
Specifically a pier or jetty, often a wooden structure extending into the water. More like a boardwalk.
桟橋から釣りをした。
I fished from the dock.
The enclosed area in a courtroom where the defendant stands or sits.
Literally 'defendant's seat'. The standard term for the dock in a courtroom.
被告は被告席に立った。
The defendant stood in the dock.
The act of two spacecraft joining together in space.
Loanword from English 'docking'. Used for spacecraft docking.
宇宙船がドッキングに成功した。
The spacecraft successfully docked.
Verb form 'to dock'.
来週、宇宙ステーションにドッキングする予定だ。
It is scheduled to dock with the space station next week.
To cut short an animal's tail, especially a dog's.
Literally 'cut the tail'. The most direct way to express docking a tail.
その犬は尾を切られている。
That dog has a docked tail.
Noun meaning 'tail docking'. Often used in veterinary or breeding contexts.
断尾は一部の犬種で行われている。
Tail docking is practiced in some dog breeds.
Verb form 'to dock the tail'.
子犬の尾を断尾する。
Dock the puppy's tail.
To deduct money from someone's wages, often as a penalty.
Literally 'deduct from salary'. The most natural way to say dock pay.
遅刻したので給料を差し引かれた。
I was late, so they docked my pay.
Means 'to reduce salary'. Can be used for docking pay as a penalty.
規則違反で減給された。
My pay was docked for breaking the rules.
The loanword ドック is mainly used for ship repair docks or marinas. It is not used for courtroom docks, spacecraft docking (use ドッキング), or docking pay/tails.