Translation guide
The English word "specification" covers several distinct concepts: a detailed description of requirements (often in technical or business contexts), the act of specifying something, and a specific requirement or standard. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended meaning.
A formal document or set of criteria describing how something should be made, built, or done, especially in engineering, manufacturing, or IT.
The most common term for a written specification document, especially in technical fields like software, manufacturing, or construction.
このプロジェクトの仕様書はまだ完成していません。
The specification document for this project is not yet complete.
仕様書に従って部品を製造してください。
Please manufacture the parts according to the specifications.
Borrowed from English 'spec', commonly used for product specifications, especially in consumer electronics, cars, or computers. Often used in plural form スペック.
このスマートフォンのスペックを教えてください。
Please tell me the specifications of this smartphone.
高いスペックのパソコンが必要です。
I need a computer with high specifications.
Refers to specifications or the way something is made/designed. Often used in compound words or as a shorter form of 仕様書. Can also mean 'method' or 'way'.
この製品の仕様を変更しました。
We changed the specifications of this product.
仕様が複雑で理解しにくい。
The specifications are complex and hard to understand.
Specifically a design document or blueprint, often used in software or engineering for detailed design specifications.
詳細設計書をレビューしてください。
Please review the detailed design specification.
The action of defining, stating, or identifying something precisely.
The act of specifying, designating, or assigning something. Often used when you specify a particular item, time, place, or condition.
日時の指定をお願いします。
Please specify the date and time.
特に指定がなければ、標準の設定を使います。
Unless otherwise specified, we will use the standard settings.
Explicitly stating or clearly indicating something, often used in formal or legal contexts.
Identifying or pinpointing something specific. Often used when you need to specify which one among many.
A single detailed point or condition that must be met, often part of a larger set of specifications.
A requirement or condition, often used in business, system development, or legal contexts. Can refer to a single specification item.
このシステムの要件を満たしていますか？
Does it meet the specifications of this system?
技術要件を文書化してください。
Please document the technical specifications.
A condition or term, often used in contracts, agreements, or when specifying criteria.
A standard or norm, often used in industrial or technical contexts for standardized specifications (e.g., JIS, ISO).
仕様書 is a formal document, while スペック is a more casual term often used for product specs like RAM or screen size. In business or engineering, 仕様書 is preferred. スペック is common in everyday conversation about gadgets.
The English word 'specification' is often used in plural form 'specifications', but in Japanese, the singular form is usually sufficient. Also, directly translating 'specification' as 特定化 or 明細化 is unnatural.
It is necessary to specify the conditions in the contract.
問題の原因を特定してください。
Please specify the cause of the problem.
応募条件を確認してください。
Please check the application specifications (requirements).
This product conforms to international specifications.