Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| スイッチ | suitchi | [sɨit̚t͡ɕi] (narrow) |
| 電源 | dengen | [dẽ̞ŋɡẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| 開閉器 | kaiheiki | [ka̠ihe̞ːkʲi] (narrow) |
The term refers to a device used to turn an electric current on or off. The related verb 切り替える means to change something to a specified state using a switch, or to change places or tasks.
Which one should you use?
While スイッチ refers to the physical mechanism itself, 電源 is often used to refer to the power source or the state of the power being on or off. Additionally, 開閉器 is a technical term specifically for a switch or circuit breaker.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
スイッチ is the most common way to refer to a physical button or toggle switch in everyday conversation. 開閉器 is a formal, technical term used in electrical engineering or formal documentation. When referring to changing or switching between modes or states in a formal way, the expression 転換する can be used.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
suitchi
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, the phrase スイッチが入る (suitchi ga hairu) means to suddenly become highly motivated or enter a state of intense focus, as if a mental switch were flipped.
- Japanese uses the verb 入れる (ireru), meaning 'to put in', to describe turning a switch on, and 切る (kiru), meaning 'to cut', to describe turning it off.
- If you are talking about a train track switch, you would not use スイッチ, but rather terms related to 'changing' or 'turning'.
Examples in context
- スイッチは切れている。The switch is off.This sentence is useful for describing the state of the スイッチ.Tatoeba #215136 by tommy__san, translation #52433 by CK
- 彼女はスイッチを押した。She pressed the switch.This sentence is useful for describing the action of pressing the スイッチ.Tatoeba #92765 by bunbuku, translation #310944 by CK
- この仕掛けはスイッチで動く。This device is actuated by a switch.This sentence is useful for describing how a device is actuated by a スイッチ.Tatoeba #221847 by bunbuku, translation #59173 by Lumi_alt
- スイッチをオンにしてくださいPlease switch it on.
- パソコンをオフにしますI will turn off the computer.
- 彼は仕事モードに転換しましたHe switched to work mode.
- 電源を切れるか確認してくださいPlease check if the power can be switched off.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are in a living room trying to turn on a lamp.
- 蓮 Renこのランプのスイッチはどこかな？Kono ranpu no suitchi wa doko kana?I wonder where the switch for this lamp is?
- 陽葵 Himariあそこに小さなスイッチがあるよ。Asoko ni chiisana suitchi ga aru yo.There is a small switch over there.
- 蓮 Renあ、本当だ。見つけた。A, hontou da. Mitsuketa.Ah, you're right. I found it.
- 陽葵 Himariスイッチを入れて、明かりをつけて。Suitchi o irete, akari o tsukete.Press the switch and turn on the light.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “switch” translations and entries スイッチ, 電源, 開閉器, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
