Translation guide
The English word 'door' refers to a movable barrier at an entrance. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is ドア, but 戸, 扉, and other words are used depending on material, style, and context. This guide helps learners choose the right word for different situations.
Referring to a typical door in a modern building, house, or room, especially Western-style with a knob or handle.
The most common word for a Western-style door. Used for doors in houses, apartments, offices, and cars. It implies a hinged panel that opens and closes.
ドアを開けてください。
Please open the door.
ドアに鍵をかける。
I lock the door.
A traditional Japanese door, often sliding or made of wood and paper. Can also refer to doors in general in some set phrases. Less common for modern Western doors.
戸を閉める。
I close the door (traditional style).
Referring to a door that slides open, typical in Japanese architecture.
A sliding door made of a wooden lattice covered with translucent paper. Used to divide rooms or as a window covering.
Referring to a large, solid door, such as a front door of a building, a gate, or a door that feels grand or sturdy.
Often used for heavy, impressive doors like those of a temple, castle, or a grand entrance. Also used metaphorically (e.g., 'door to the future'). Can be used for any door in poetic or literary contexts.
Referring specifically to the door of a vehicle.
The standard word for a car door. Same as general door, but context makes it clear.
Referring to the entrance or the space where a door is, rather than the door panel.
Referring to a door that opens automatically, common in stores and stations.
ドア is the default for modern Western doors. 戸 is for traditional Japanese sliding doors or in set phrases. 扉 is for heavy, impressive doors or metaphorical use. Using ドア for a sliding paper door would sound odd.
If you are talking about a shoji or fusuma, use the specific word. Calling them ドア will confuse listeners because they expect a Western hinged door.
障子を開けて、風を入れる。
I open the shoji to let in the breeze.
A sliding door made of opaque paper or cloth over a wooden frame, often used as a room partition or closet door.
襖を閉めてください。
Please close the fusuma.
A general term for any sliding door, including modern glass or wooden sliding doors.
引き戸を静かに閉める。
I quietly close the sliding door.
重い扉を押し開ける。
I push open the heavy door.
未来への扉
a door to the future
Specifically a gate door, such as the door of a gate at an entrance to a property.
門扉を閉める。
I close the gate door.
車のドアを閉める。
I close the car door.
Means 'entrance'. Use this when you mean the doorway or the place you enter, not the physical door panel.
入口で待っています。
I'm waiting at the door (entrance).
Literally 'door mouth', meaning the doorway or the area immediately inside/outside a door. More specific than 入口.
戸口に立つ。
I stand in the doorway.
The standard term for an automatic door.
自動ドアが開かない。
The automatic door won't open.