Translation guide
The English word "intake" covers several distinct concepts: the act of taking something in (air, food, liquid), the amount taken in, the place where something is taken in, and the process of admitting people into an organization. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Referring to the quantity of food, liquid, or nutrients a person consumes, often in health or dietary contexts.
Standard term for 'intake amount' of nutrients, calories, etc. Used in medical, nutritional, and everyday contexts.
塩分の摂取量を減らしてください。
Please reduce your salt intake.
1日のカロリー摂取量はどれくらいですか？
What is your daily calorie intake?
The act or amount of intake. Often used in compounds like 塩分摂取 (salt intake). Can be used without 量 when the amount is implied.
水分摂取をこまめに行いましょう。
Make sure to take in fluids frequently.
Pattern: [nutrient] + の摂取. Used to talk about intake of specific substances.
カルシウムの摂取が不足しています。
Your calcium intake is insufficient.
Describing the physical act of breathing in or inhaling.
Technical/medical term for inhalation or intake of air. Used in contexts like engines or respiration.
エンジンの吸気温度を測定する。
Measure the engine's intake air temperature.
Everyday phrase for 'to take a breath' or 'inhale'. Not a direct translation of 'intake' but used for the action.
大きく息を吸ってください。
Please take a deep breath.
Inhalation, often for medical purposes (e.g., inhaling medicine) or technical contexts.
Referring to the number of people accepted into a school, program, or institution.
General term for acceptance or intake of people. Used for schools, companies, refugees, etc.
今年の新入生の受け入れ数は200人です。
This year's intake of new students is 200.
難民の受け入れを拡大する。
Expand the intake of refugees.
Specifically the number of people being recruited or admitted. Common for job or school applications.
今年の募集人数は昨年より少ない。
This year's intake is smaller than last year's.
Fixed capacity or quota. Often used for schools, classes, or events. Implies a limit on intake.
Referring to a physical opening or pipe through which air, water, or fuel enters a machine or system.
General term for an intake port or inlet. Used for air, water, etc.
エアコンの空気取り入れ口を掃除する。
Clean the air conditioner's air intake.
Suction inlet or intake. Often used for pumps, engines, or vacuum systems.
ポンプの吸入口が詰まっている。
The pump intake is clogged.
Loanword from English, used in technical or automotive contexts (e.g., car intake manifold).
Describing the mental absorption of knowledge, information, or experiences.
Absorption, often used metaphorically for taking in knowledge or information.
新しい情報をどんどん吸収する。
Quickly absorb new information.
To take in or incorporate information. More active than 吸収.
常に最新の情報を取り入れている。
We are constantly taking in the latest information.
The English word "intake" cannot be directly translated into a single Japanese word that covers all meanings. Always choose the term based on what is being taken in (food, air, people, etc.). Using 摂取 for people or 受け入れ for food would be incorrect.
摂取 (sesshu) is about the act of taking in (eating, drinking), while 吸収 (kyūshū) is about absorption into the body or mind. For nutritional intake, 摂取 is standard; for learning, 吸収 is more natural.
薬を吸入する。
Inhale the medicine.
このコースの定員は30名です。
The intake for this course is 30 people.
インテークマニホールドを交換する。
Replace the intake manifold.