Translation guide
A person who carves designs or text into hard surfaces, or a tool used for engraving. This guide covers how to refer to the person, the craft, and the tool in Japanese.
To refer to a person whose job or craft is engraving, such as on metal, wood, or printing plates.
General term for an engraver or sculptor, often used for professionals who carve designs into metal, wood, or stone.
彼は有名な彫刻師です。
He is a famous engraver.
Specifically a carver or engraver, often used for traditional crafts like woodblock printing or tattooing. Can imply a master artisan.
その彫師は木版画を彫っています。
The engraver is carving a woodblock print.
Printmaker or engraver specializing in printmaking (woodcut, etching, etc.). More artistic than industrial.
彼女は版画家として活躍しています。
She is active as a printmaker/engraver.
To refer to someone who engraves as a hobby or non-professionally.
Literally 'a person who does engraving'. Simple and clear for non-professionals.
彫刻をする人が集まるワークショップがあります。
There is a workshop where people who do engraving gather.
To refer to the tool used for engraving, such as a burin or graver.
Engraving knife or chisel; the standard term for a hand-held engraving tool.
この彫刻刀はとても鋭いです。
This engraving tool is very sharp.
Burin, a specific type of engraving tool used in printmaking and metal engraving. Loanword from French.
銅版画にはビュランを使います。
You use a burin for copperplate engraving.
To refer to a machine that engraves, such as a laser engraver or CNC engraver.
Engraving machine; general term for mechanical or automated engraving devices.
この工場ではレーザー彫刻機を使っています。
This factory uses a laser engraving machine.
Laser engraver, specifically.
レーザー彫刻機で名前を入れられます。
You can engrave a name with a laser engraver.
彫刻師 is a broader term for engraver/sculptor, while 彫師 often implies a traditional craftsman, especially in woodblock printing or tattooing. Use 彫刻師 for general contexts.
The direct loanword エングレーバー exists but is rarely used and sounds unnatural. Stick to native Japanese terms or descriptive phrases.