テープ
tēpu[te̞ːpɯ̟]
The Japanese word for tape is テープ (tēpu).
テープ is primarily used as a noun to refer to adhesive tape.
Meaning: to bind with adhesive tape (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
Because テープ is a noun, you must combine it with other words to express specific actions. To express the action of binding or securing something 'with' tape, use the particle で after テープ (e.g., テープで). To express the verb 'to tape' in the sense of applying it to a surface, use the construction テープを貼る (to stick/apply tape). To express the verb 'to tape' in the sense of fastening two things together, use the construction テープで留める (to fasten/secure with tape).
How do you pronounce it?
tēpu
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word テープ is frequently used to describe a 'ribbon' or 'band' of fabric, such as the finishers on the edge of a sports jersey, regardless of whether it is sticky.
- If you are talking about a 'measuring tape', you would not use テープ but rather メジャー (mejaa) or 巻尺 (makijuku).
- Japanese people often use the word セロハンテープ (serohan tēpu) for what English speakers call 'Scotch tape' because the brand 'Cellophane' became the generic term in Japan.
Examples in context
- セロテープ持ってきてくれる？Can you bring me the Scotch Tape?This sentence is useful for asking someone to bring Scotch Tape using テープ.Tatoeba #10117968 by bunbuku, translation #10566785 by auxitt
- ガムテープで固定しとけばオッケー。Secure it with duct tape and you're good to go.This sentence is useful for saying something is secured with duct tape using テープ.Tatoeba #11029506 by small_snow, translation #11578041 by pip
- 明日までこのテープを持ってていいよ。You can keep this tape until tomorrow.This sentence is useful for talking about keeping a piece of テープ until tomorrow.Tatoeba #80389 by bunbuku, translation #323329 by CN
- 彼はテープで箱を留めました。He secured the box with tape.
- 粘着テープは万能です。Adhesive tape is versatile.
- セロテープでプレゼントを包みました。I wrapped the gift with cellophane tape.
- これをテープで留めてください。Please secure this with tape.
- けがをしたのでテーピングをした。I did some taping because I got injured.
- この布テープはとても強力です。This cloth tape is very strong.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
陽太 is trying to fix a broken poster on the wall.
- 陽葵 Himariそのポスター、テープで貼っておく？Sono posutā, tēpu de hatte oku?Do you want to fix that poster with tape?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、テープで留めておいて。Un, tēpu de tomete oite.Yeah, please hold it in place with tape.
- 陽葵 Himariわかった。ここにテープを貼るね。Wakatta. Koko ni tēpu o haru ne.Got it. I'll put the tape here.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう、助かるよ。Arigatō, tasukaru yo.Thanks, that helps a lot.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry テープ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
