Translation guide
The English word 'filtering' can refer to physically straining liquids or particles, or to the abstract process of selecting or removing items based on criteria. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for both physical and metaphorical filtering.
To pass a liquid or gas through a device to remove impurities or separate solids.
The standard noun for physical filtration, often used in technical or formal contexts. Can be used with する to mean 'to filter'.
Common verb meaning 'to strain' or 'to filter' using a sieve, cloth, or paper. Used in everyday cooking and practical situations.
Verb form of 濾過, used in technical descriptions.
この装置は水をろ過する。
This device filters water.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'to put through a filter'. Often used for coffee or air filters.
コーヒーをフィルターにかける。
Put the coffee through a filter.
To choose a subset from a larger set by applying conditions, often in computing, data analysis, or decision-making.
Literally 'to narrow down'. The most natural verb for filtering search results, lists, or options by applying criteria.
検索結果を日付で絞り込む。
Filter the search results by date.
条件を絞り込んで候補者を選ぶ。
Narrow down the candidates by filtering conditions.
Loanword from English, widely used in IT contexts for content filtering, spam filtering, etc. Often used with する.
Means 'to extract'. Used when filtering implies pulling out specific items that meet criteria, especially in data processing.
データから必要な情報を抽出する。
Extract necessary information from the data (by filtering).
Means 'to sort out' or 'to screen'. Implies separating good from bad or desired from undesired, often used for physical items or people.
応募者を書類で選別する。
Screen applicants by documents (filtering).
To remove or block something undesirable, such as noise, distractions, or harmful content.
General verb meaning 'to remove'. Used when filtering means getting rid of unwanted parts.
ノイズを取り除く。
Filter out the noise.
Means 'to block' or 'to cut off'. Used for filtering that blocks access or transmission, like firewalls or blue light filters.
ブルーライトを遮断するメガネ。
Glasses that filter out blue light.
Formal term for 'elimination' or 'removal', used in technical contexts like filtering impurities.
不純物を除去する。
Filter out impurities.
絞り込む is a native Japanese verb that feels more natural in everyday speech when narrowing down options. フィルタリング is a loanword primarily used in IT or formal contexts. For search filters on websites, both are common, but 絞り込む is often preferred in user interfaces.
The English verb 'filter' is often translated directly as フィルターする, but this is not standard Japanese. Use フィルタリングする or こす/濾過する depending on context.
Filter spam emails.
このアプリは有害サイトをフィルタリングします。
This app filters harmful websites.