効率
kōritsu[ko̞ːɾʲit͡sɨ]
Efficiency in Japanese is expressed as 効率 (kōritsu). Wiktionary also lists 効率性.
Meaning: extent to which a resource is used for the intended purpose (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 効率 | kōritsu | [ko̞ːɾʲit͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| 効率性 |
The term refers to the extent to which a resource is used for its intended purpose.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 効率 (kōritsu) is composed of two parts: 効, meaning effect or efficacy and 率, meaning rate or ratio.
Which one should you use?
While 効率 is often used as a noun meaning 'efficiency' or 'efficiency rate', 効率性 specifically emphasizes the abstract quality or property of being efficient.
How do you pronounce it?
kōritsu
Did you know?
- In a Japanese professional setting, focusing too heavily on 効率 during a first meeting can be seen as rude, as the initial phase of business is for building 信頼 (shinrai) or trust.
- In manufacturing, the concept of 'efficiency' is often tied to the Japanese philosophy of 無駄 (muda), which means 'waste' or 'uselessness'.
- While 効率 (kōritsu) focuses on the ratio of output to input, the word 能率 (nōritsu) is often used when discussing the efficiency of a person's work or mental processing.
Examples in context
- 仕事場の管理者は、正確さ、効率性、献身を期待する。Office managers expect accuracy, efficiency, and dedication.This sentence demonstrates the use of 効率性 in a professional context regarding expectations for office managers.Tatoeba #169023 by mookeee, translation #245464 by CM
- 彼の仕事の効率は非常に高いです。His work efficiency is extremely high.
- 新しいソフトウェアは作業の能率を向上させます。The new software improves work efficiency.
- 彼の手際よさにはいつも感心します。I'm always impressed by his efficiency and skill.
- この機械は、エネルギーの効率が良い。Kono kikai wa, enerugii no kouritsu ga yoi.This machine has good energy efficiency.
- 作業の効率を上げる必要があります。Sagyou no kouritsu o ageru hitsuyou ga arimasu.It is necessary to improve work efficiency.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are discussing their work process.
- 美咲 Misaki今のやり方だと、効率が悪い気がします。Ima no yarikata dato, kōritsu ga warui ki ga shimasu.I feel that the current way of doing things is inefficient.
- 陽太 Yota確かに。どうすれば改善できるかな？Tashika ni. Dō sureba kaizen dekiru kana?True. I wonder how we can improve it?
- 美咲 Misakiタスクを分担すれば、効率が上がりますよ。Tasuku o buntan sureba, kōritsu ga agarimasu yo.If we divide the tasks, efficiency will increase.
- 陽太 Yotaいい考えだね。そうしよう！Ii kangae dane. Sō shiyō!That's a good idea. Let's do that!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “efficiency” translations and entries 効率, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
