Translation guide
The concept of making things happen at the same time, matching timing, or keeping things in step. Japanese uses different words depending on whether you mean technical synchronization (clocks, data, machines), coordinating actions, or matching rhythms.
Making two or more devices, systems, or signals operate in unison or at the same rate.
The standard technical term for synchronization of clocks, data, devices, or processes. Used as a noun or with する to mean 'to synchronize'.
データの同期が完了しました。
Data synchronization is complete.
スマートフォンとパソコンを同期する。
Synchronize the smartphone and the computer.
Abbreviation of 'synchronization', often used in casual or technical contexts, especially for syncing devices or in entertainment (e.g., synchronized swimming).
スマホとクラウドをシンクロさせる。
Sync the smartphone with the cloud.
More often used for tuning or aligning (e.g., radio frequencies), but can mean synchronization in some technical contexts. Less common than 同期 for general sync.
周波数の同調を行う。
Perform frequency synchronization.
Making sure people act together at the same moment, or aligning schedules and movements.
Literally 'match the timing'. The most natural way to express synchronizing actions or timing between people.
みんなでタイミングを合わせてジャンプしよう。
Let's all jump at the same time.
プレゼンでは、スライドと話すタイミングを合わせることが大切です。
In presentations, it's important to synchronize your speech with the slides.
Literally 'match breathing'. Used for close coordination in teamwork, performances, or any situation requiring perfect unison.
チーム全員が息を合わせて作業した。
The whole team worked in perfect synchronization.
Can also be used for human coordination, but sounds slightly technical. Often used in business or project management.
Literally 'align one's steps'. Used for getting a group to act in harmony, often in organizational or political contexts.
政府と日銀は足並みを揃えて景気対策に当たるべきだ。
The government and the central bank should synchronize their economic measures.
Aligning sound with video, or subtitles with speech.
Standard phrase for audio-video synchronization. Often shortened to 音ズレ (sound lag) when there is a problem.
この動画は音声と映像の同期がずれている。
This video's audio and video are out of sync.
Lip-sync, specifically matching mouth movements to recorded speech. Often used in entertainment contexts.
彼女はリップシンクが完璧だ。
Her lip-sync is perfect.
Performing physical movements in exact unison.
Commonly used for synchronized swimming (シンクロナイズドスイミング) or synchronized dance. Often used as a noun or with する.
シンクロの演技は美しかった。
The synchronized performance was beautiful.
General phrase for synchronizing movements, used in dance, exercise, or group performances.
ダンスの動きを揃えるために練習した。
We practiced to synchronize our dance moves.
While 同期 can be used for schedules or teamwork, it sounds technical. For everyday coordination, use タイミングを合わせる or 息を合わせる.
私たちは息を合わせて歌った。
We sang in perfect synchronization.
同期 is the standard for synchronization of data, clocks, or processes. 同調 is more about tuning or aligning (e.g., radio, opinions) and is less common for general sync.
二つのシステムの同期に失敗しました。
The synchronization of the two systems failed.
部署間の連携をもっと密にする必要がある。
We need better synchronization between departments.
Often rephrased as 'coordination' rather than literal sync.
Let's synchronize our schedules.