キーボード
kībōdo[kʲiːbo̞ːdo̞]
The English word 'keyboard' can be translated into Japanese as キーボード (kībōdo) or 鍵盤.
Meaning: set of keys used to operate a typewriter, computer etc. (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| キーボード | kībōdo | [kʲiːbo̞ːdo̞] (narrow) |
| 鍵盤 | kenban | [kẽ̞mbã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
キーボード is the common term for a computer keyboard or a musical keyboard. You can use specific terms like メカニカルキーボード for a mechanical keyboard, 英字キーボード for an English keyboard or テンキー and テンキーパッド to refer to a numeric keypad. The term ピアノの鍵盤 can be used to refer to a musical keyboard, translating to 'piano keys' in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 鍵盤 is composed of 鍵, meaning 'key' and 盤, meaning 'board' or 'tray'.
Which one should you use?
キーボード is the common way to refer to a computer keyboard or a musical keyboard. In contrast, 鍵盤 is a more specialized term used specifically when referring to the physical keys of a musical instrument like a piano.
How do you pronounce it?
kībōdo
Did you know?
- Japanese keyboards often feature a unique key called 半角 / 全角 (hankaku/zenkaku), which allows the user to toggle between half-width and full-width characters.
- Because Japanese requires multiple scripts, typing on a キーボード involves a process called 'henkan', where the user types phonetically and then converts the text into the correct kanji.
- The character 鍵 (kagi) in 鍵盤 does not just mean 'key' as in a keyboard, but is the same character used for 'lock' or 'key' used to open a door.
Examples in context
- キーボードは、汚い。The keyboard is filthy.This sentence is useful for describing the cleanliness of a keyboard using キーボード.Tatoeba #12662562 by small_snow, translation #10565000 by ddnktr
- お前のキーボード、汚いな。Your keyboard is filthy.Tatoeba #12593350 by small_snow, translation #10282083 by ddnktr
- 僕のキーボード、汚れてるよ。My keyboard is dirty.Tatoeba #9634689 by small_snow, translation #9634653 by abburns
- このコンピューターには便利なキーボードが付属しています。This computer comes with a convenient keyboard.
- ゲームをするとき、キーの反応が重要です。When playing games, the response of the keys is important.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a tech store, Misaki is looking at a computer accessory.
- 美咲 Misakiこのキーボード、使いやすそうですね。Kono kībōdo, tsukaiyasosō desu ne.This keyboard looks easy to use.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうですね。デザインもかっこいいですよ。Sō desu ne. Dezain mo kakkoii desu yo.It is. The design is cool too.
- 美咲 Misaki新しいキーボードが欲しいんです。Atarashii kībōdo ga hoshii n desu.I want a new keyboard.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれなら、これがおすすめですよ。Sorenara, kore ga osusume desu yo.In that case, I recommend this one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “keyboard” translations and entries キーボード, 鍵盤, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
