Translation guide
The English word "vent" has several distinct meanings: an opening for air or gas, the act of expressing strong emotions, and a slit in clothing. This guide covers the most common and useful Japanese expressions for each meaning.
A hole, duct, or outlet that allows air, gas, or liquid to escape or circulate.
To release strong feelings such as anger, frustration, or stress by talking about them or acting them out.
To dump one's complaints or frustrations; a vivid, common expression for venting.
彼は上司に不満をぶちまけた。
He vented his frustrations to his boss.
An opening or slit in a garment, often for style or ease of movement.
Avoid direct translations like 感情の穴 (emotion hole). Use idiomatic phrases such as 愚痴をこぼす or 不満をぶちまける.
彼女に愚痴を聞いてもらった。
I vented to her.
スリット is the general term for a slit in clothing, while ベント specifically refers to the vent on the back or sides of a jacket. Use ベント for tailored jackets and スリット for skirts or dresses.
General term for a ventilation opening or air vent. Used in technical and everyday contexts.
部屋の通気口を掃除してください。
Please clean the air vent in the room.
Specifically a ventilation opening for air exchange, often in buildings.
キッチンの換気口から煙が出ていった。
Smoke went out through the kitchen vent.
Exhaust vent or outlet, often for fumes or hot air from machines.
エアコンの排気口をふさがないでください。
Please do not block the exhaust vent of the air conditioner.
Literally 'gas release hole', used for small vents in containers or machinery to release pressure.
この容器にはガス抜き穴がついている。
This container has a vent hole.
To grumble or complain; a very common way to say 'vent' in the sense of airing grievances.
友達に愚痴をこぼしてすっきりした。
I felt better after venting to my friend.
Literally 'to spit out emotions'; a strong image of releasing pent-up feelings.
時には感情を吐き出すことも必要だ。
Sometimes you need to vent your emotions.
To release or dissipate anger, often through physical activity or talking.
運動して怒りを発散した。
I vented my anger by exercising.
Colloquial ways to describe venting irritation. ぷんぷん is cute/light anger, イライラ is irritation.
ぷんぷんしてたから、友達に話して発散した。
I was fuming, so I vented to a friend.
Loanword from English 'slit', commonly used for vents in skirts or jackets.
このスカートには後ろにスリットが入っている。
This skirt has a vent in the back.
Loanword from English 'vent', used specifically in fashion for jacket vents (e.g., center vent, side vents).
ジャケットのベントを閉じたまま座らないで。
Don't sit down with the jacket vent closed.
General term for a cut or notch; can describe a vent in clothing but less specific.
袖口に切り込みが入ったデザイン。
A design with a vent at the cuff.