Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| コンピューター | kompyūtā | [kõ̞mpʲɨːta̠ː] (narrow) | |
| コンピュータ | kompyūta | [kõ̞mpʲɨːta̠] (narrow) | alternative form |
| 電脳 | dennō | [dẽ̞nːo̞ː] (narrow) | rare |
| 電子計算機 | denshi keisanki | [dẽ̞ɰ̃ɕi̥ke̞ːsã̠ŋʲkʲi] (narrow) | rare |
| 電算 | densan | [dẽ̞ɰ̃sã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
In Japan, the term パソコン is a widely used abbreviation for personal computer. While the standard loanword is common, you may also encounter the technical term 電子計算機, which translates to "electronic computing machine."
What does it mean word for word?
The rare term 電脳 (dennō) literally translates to "electric brain."
Which one should you use?
The most common way to write the loanword in modern Japanese is with a long vowel mark at the end: コンピューター. The version without the long vowel mark, コンピュータ, is frequently used in academic papers, technical documentation and formal scientific contexts. Additionally, 電子計算機 is a highly formal technical term and 電脳 is a rare term often used in anime or science fiction contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
コンピュータ is considered the formal word for computer. For highly formal, legal or official government contexts, the term 電子計算機 is used.
How do you pronounce it?
kompyūtā
When do people say it?
The term 電脳 is often used in science fiction or anime contexts.
Did you know?
- The term 電脳 is the Japanese equivalent of 'cyber' in the context of 'cyberpunk', and it is used to describe things like 'cyber-space' as 電脳空間.
- The word パソコン is a double abbreviation, shortening both パーソナル 'personal' and コンピュータ 'computer'.
- The term 電脳 was borrowed from the Chinese word 電腦, which also literally means 'electric brain'.
Examples in context
- そのコンピュータ、ダメかも。The computer might not work.This sentence shows how to express that a computer might not be working using コンピュータ.Tatoeba #8900630 by small_snow, translation #8900618 by shekitten
- コンピューターは複雑な機械だ。A computer is a complex machine.This sentence describes a computer as a complex machine using コンピュータ.Tatoeba #217237 by KK_kaku_, translation #54545 by CM
- 私はコンピューターを使います。I'm using the computer.This sentence expresses using a computer using コンピュータ.Tatoeba #3087993 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #3007688 by Balamax
- わたしの会社では、 コンピュータ を使って重要な情報を管理しています。In our company, we manage important information using computers.
- 新しい コンピューター を買ったんだ。速くて便利だよ！I bought a new computer. It's fast and convenient!
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are talking about studying in the library.
- 陽太 Yota新しいコンピューターを貸してくれますか。Atarashii konpyūtā o kashite kuremasu ka.Could you lend me a new computer?
- 結衣 Yuiいいですよ。ここにあります。Ii desu yo. Koko ni arimasu.Sure. It's right here.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます。助かります。Arigatō gozaimasu. Tasukarimasu.Thank you. That helps a lot.
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ。ゆっくり使ってくださいね。Iie. Yukkuri tsukatte kudasai ne.No problem. Please take your time using it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “computer” translations and entries コンピューター, コンピュータ, 電脳, 電子計算機, 電算, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries コンピューター, 電子計算機, 電脳, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
