Translation guide
A place where races (horse racing, car racing, etc.) are held. In Japanese, the most common term is 競馬場 for horse racing, while 競技場 or サーキット are used for other types of racing.
A venue specifically for horse racing, including the track, grandstands, and facilities.
The standard term for a horse racing track or racecourse. Used for both the physical track and the entire facility.
東京競馬場は日本で一番大きい競馬場です。
Tokyo Racecourse is the largest racecourse in Japan.
週末に競馬場へ行く予定です。
I plan to go to the racecourse this weekend.
Literally 'horse racing', but can refer to the racecourse in context, especially in compound words or casual speech.
競馬に行かない？
Wanna go to the races?
A circuit or track for motor racing, cycling, or other non-horse races.
Borrowed from English 'circuit', used for car, motorcycle, and go-kart racing tracks.
鈴鹿サーキットでF1レースが開催されます。
The F1 race will be held at Suzuka Circuit.
彼はサーキットで走るのが好きだ。
He likes driving on the racecourse.
A general term for a sports ground or stadium, can be used for racing tracks in some contexts, but less specific than サーキット.
A generic term for a race venue, but less common than specific terms. May be understood but sounds a bit unnatural.
A running track, often part of a stadium, used for foot races.
Refers specifically to a running track, usually oval-shaped, made of synthetic material.
彼は毎朝トラックで走っている。
He runs on the track every morning.
競馬場 is exclusively for horse racing. サーキット is for motor sports (cars, bikes). トラック is for running (athletics). Using the wrong term can cause confusion.
競馬場で車のレースはできません。
You can't have a car race at a horse racecourse.
The direct translation 'レースコース' is not commonly used in Japanese. It may be understood but sounds unnatural. Use the specific terms above instead.
その競技場では自転車レースが行われます。
Bicycle races are held at that racecourse.
新しいレース場が郊外に建設された。
A new racecourse was built in the suburbs.
An athletics stadium that includes a running track. More formal and refers to the whole facility.
国立競技場の陸上競技場は改修された。
The athletics track at the National Stadium was renovated.