Translation guide
The English word "hardware" covers physical tools, equipment, and computer components. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you mean household tools, computer parts, or military equipment.
Metal tools, nails, screws, and household repair items sold in a hardware store.
General term for metal fittings, tools, and hardware items. Commonly used in the context of a hardware store.
金物屋で釘を買った。
I bought nails at the hardware store.
Loanword from English, used for both computer hardware and sometimes for tools, but less common for household hardware than 金物.
この店はハードウェアを扱っている。
This store deals in hardware.
Physical components of a computer system, such as the CPU, memory, and peripherals.
Standard term for computer hardware. Often abbreviated as ハード in casual contexts.
新しいハードウェアをインストールした。
I installed new hardware.
Abbreviation of ハードウェア, common in casual speech and compound words like ハードディスク (hard disk).
Weapons, equipment, and machinery used by armed forces.
Refers to weapons and military equipment. Often used in news or formal contexts.
その国は最新の兵器を導入した。
That country introduced the latest hardware.
Broader term for military equipment, including non-weapon items like vehicles and communication gear.
軍事装備の近代化が進んでいる。
Modernization of military hardware is progressing.
While ハードウェア can be understood, 金物 is the natural term for nails, screws, and metal fittings. Using ハードウェア in a hardware store context may sound like you're talking about computers.
The computer won't work because of a hardware failure.