Translation guide
A drawing tool with two hinged legs, used for drawing circles or measuring distances. In Japanese, the most common word is コンパス, a loanword from Dutch. Traditional terms exist but are less common.
The physical instrument with two legs, used in geometry, drafting, or crafts.
The standard modern term, widely understood. From Dutch 'kompas'. Used in schools and everyday contexts.
コンパスで円を描く。
Draw a circle with a compass.
このコンパスは壊れている。
This pair of compasses is broken.
A traditional Japanese term, literally 'circle-drawing tool'. Rarely used today, mostly in historical contexts or traditional crafts.
A kanji term meaning 'compass' or 'norm'. Often seen in compound words like 規矩 (kiku, compass and square). Not used alone in modern speech.
規矩に従って作図する。
Draw according to the compass and square.
The English word 'compass' can mean both the drawing tool and the navigational instrument. In Japanese, コンパス usually means the drawing tool. For the magnetic compass, use 方位磁針 (ほういじしん) or simply コンパス in context, but clarify if needed.
方位磁針で北を確認する。
Check north with a magnetic compass.
昔の大工はぶんまわしを使った。
Carpenters in the old days used a pair of compasses.