How to say "refrigerator" in Japanese

• 冷蔵庫れいぞうこJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounThe common word for the refrigerator — the kitchen appliance that keeps food cold. Whether you call it a refrigerator or a fridge in English, this is the word you want.
  うちの冷蔵庫れいぞうこは故障こしょうしている。↗

  Our refrigerator is out of order.
• 冷れい
  nounAn abbreviation standing for refrigerator, but on its own it is seldom the word you want: the character essentially means 'cold', and for the appliance say 冷蔵庫.
• 冷却器れいきゃくき
  nounA general term for a cooling device — its senses include cooler, freezer and a car's radiator. For the fridge in your kitchen this is not the word; think 'cooler' or 'radiator' instead.
• 冷凍機れいとうき
  nounA machine that freezes or refrigerates: 'refrigerator' and 'freezer' here in the machinery sense, not the food-storage appliance. For the fridge in your kitchen, 冷蔵庫 is the word.
• 冷凍装置れいとうそうち
  nounRefrigerating equipment: the apparatus that does the freezing or cooling, named as a piece of equipment rather than a household appliance. Not the word for the fridge you keep food in.

For the fridge in your kitchen, 冷蔵庫 is the word; the rest are less common — 冷 a bare abbreviation, 冷却器 a cooler or car radiator, 冷凍機 and 冷凍装置 freezing machines and refrigerating equipment.

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

• 冷蔵庫れいぞうこrefrigerator
• 冷れいrefrigerator
• 冷却器れいきゃくきrefrigerator
• 冷凍機れいとうきrefrigerator
• 冷凍装置れいとうそうちrefrigerator
• リーファーreefer
• アールrefrigerator