How to say "analogue" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- na-adjective, no-adjectiveThe common loanword and the one you will meet most: it covers 'analog' as opposed to digital and also serves for 'analogue' in general use — the default choice in everyday contexts.
- 類同語るいどうごnounA rare word despite its 'analogue' gloss: seldom the word you want, since in ordinary contexts アナログ does the job. Unless you have a specific reason to seek it out, pass it over.
- 類縁体るいえんたいnounA less common, technical word for 'analogue' in the sense of a related or corresponding thing; it belongs to scientific prose, chemistry in particular, rather than to everyday talk.
- 類似体るいじたいnounA less common, technical term for 'analogue' as a structurally similar counterpart, found in scientific and technical prose. In everyday contexts アナログ is the word instead.
Use 「アナログ」, the common loanword, for the everyday and analog-versus-digital senses; 類同語 is seldom the word you want, while 類縁体 and 類似体 are technical terms for an analogue as a similar thing in scientific writing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
