Translation guide
How to say 'reboot' in Japanese, covering computers, devices, and figurative uses.
To restart a computer, phone, or other electronic device.
The standard, neutral term for rebooting a computer or device. Used in both spoken and written contexts.
パソコンを再起動してください。
Please reboot your computer.
My smartphone froze, so I rebooted it.
A loanword from English, commonly used in IT contexts. Slightly more technical than 再起動.
システムをリブートする必要があります。
You need to reboot the system.
A slightly more formal or technical way to say 'perform a reboot'.
サーバーに再起動をかけました。
I rebooted the server.
Literally 'turn the power off and on again'. Used for a hard reboot or power cycle, often for troubleshooting.
ルーターの電源を入れ直してみてください。
Try rebooting the router (by turning it off and on).
To start something over or give it a fresh start, like a project, career, or relationship.
Means 'to redo' or 'start over'. Natural for rebooting a process or life situation.
人生をやり直したい。
I want to reboot my life.
計画を最初からやり直そう。
Let's reboot the plan from scratch.
Means 'to make a fresh start' or 'restart'. Often used for careers or life chapters.
彼は新しい会社で再出発した。
He rebooted his career at a new company.
Loanword meaning 'reset'. Used figuratively for rebooting one's mindset or situation.
気持ちをリセットして、また頑張ろう。
Let's reboot our mindset and try again.
Means 'to start over from scratch'. Emphasizes going back to the beginning.
失敗したので、一から出直します。
Since I failed, I'll reboot from scratch.
To restart a movie series, game franchise, etc., with a new continuity.
The loanword used specifically for media franchise reboots. Widely understood among fans.
この映画はシリーズのリブートです。
This movie is a reboot of the series.
Means 'reboot version', commonly used for movies or games.
リブート版のゲームが発売された。
A reboot version of the game was released.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'to remake anew'. Can be used when explaining a reboot.
そのドラマは新たに作り直された。
The drama was rebooted (remade anew).
Both mean 'reboot' for computers. 再起動 is the general Japanese term, while リブート is a loanword often used in IT or by tech-savvy speakers. In casual conversation, 再起動 is safer and more widely understood.
While リブート is used for media franchises, it is not natural for personal life reboots. Use やり直す or 再出発する instead.