Translation guide
The English verb 'merge' covers several related ideas: combining things into one, blending gradually, or joining together in traffic or business. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is merging and how.
To combine two or more things into a single entity, such as companies, files, or groups.
Used for mergers of organizations, especially companies or municipalities. Implies a formal, often legal, combination into one entity.
二つの会社が合併した。
The two companies merged.
To integrate or unify. Used for systems, data, organizations, or abstract things. Slightly broader than 合併.
データを一つのファイルに統合する。
Merge the data into one file.
A casual, everyday phrase meaning 'to make into one'. Works for physical objects, groups, or abstract things.
二つのグループを一つにしよう。
Let's merge the two groups.
To combine or unite, often used in fiction (e.g., robots merging) or for physical joining. Can sound dramatic.
ロボットが合体して巨大になった。
The robots merged into a giant one.
When colors, sounds, or abstract things gradually become one, or one thing disappears into another.
To blend in, melt into, or become part of the surroundings. Often used for colors, scenery, or a person fitting into a group.
空の色が海に溶け込んでいる。
The sky merges into the sea.
To mix together, intermingle. Used for liquids, sounds, or abstract things blending.
To fuse or blend together, often used for cultures, ideas, or artistic styles. More formal or technical.
伝統と現代が融合した建築。
Architecture where tradition and modernity merge.
When a vehicle moves from a side road or lane into the main flow of traffic.
To merge into traffic, join a flow (of cars, people, rivers). The standard term for traffic merging.
高速道路に合流するときは注意してください。
Please be careful when merging onto the highway.
Literally 'enter the lane'. A more descriptive way to say merge in driving contexts.
あの車が急に私の車線に入ってきた。
That car suddenly merged into my lane.
To combine changes from different branches or files in software development.
Loanword from English, used as a technical term in programming (e.g., Git merge).
ブランチをマージする前にコードレビューをしてください。
Please do a code review before merging the branch.
Also used in computing contexts for merging data or systems, but マージする is more common for version control.
変更を統合する。
Merge the changes.
合併 (がっぺい) is for formal mergers of organizations. 統合 (とうごう) is for integrating systems or data. 合流 (ごうりゅう) is for joining a flow, like traffic or a river.
合併 implies a formal merger of entities. For traffic, use 合流する or 車線に入る.
様々な音楽が混ざり合って新しいジャンルが生まれた。
Various styles of music merged to create a new genre.