How to say "pipe" in Japanese

• パイプJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe loanword, used for a pipe or tube that carries water, gas and the like; it is also the word for a tobacco pipe.
  パイプのひび割われからガスが漏もれていた。↗

  Gas was escaping from a crack in the pipe.
• 管かんJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe reading used in compound words; when the word stands alone as a noun for a pipe or tube, it is read くだ.
  管かんから水みずが吹き出ふきだした。↗

  Water shot from the pipe.
• 管くだCommon
  nounRead くだ, this is the word for a pipe or tube on its own — a hollow cylinder through which water, gas or the like passes.
• 筒つつJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA hollow cylinder, naming the tube-shaped object itself rather than the flow through it; the 'cylinder' sense covers things that are simply cylinder-shaped.
• 笛ふえJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounOnly for the musical sense of 'pipe': a small wind instrument, with flute and recorder as its main senses. It is not the word for a water or gas pipe.

For a pipe or tube carrying water, gas and the like, use 「パイプ」, 管 or 筒 — the loanword, the native word (かん in compounds, くだ alone), and a hollow cylinder; 笛 is only for the musical instrument.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• パイプpipe
• 管かんpipe
• 管くだpipe
• 筒つつpipe
• 笛ふえflute
• 導管どうかんconduit
• 管渠かんきょpipe (e.g. sewer, storm water)
• 筒とうpipe
• ぴーぴーflute