How to say "sub" in Japanese

• サブCommon
  nounThe everyday borrowing covering 'sub', substitute, reserve, or backup; a common loanword used for stand-ins in general contexts, as in work or teams.
• 置換キャラクタちかんキャラクタ
  nounThe computing term for the SUB control character, not a person who substitutes. For that technical sense in data encoding this is the word you want; it is seldom used for 'sub' in the everyday sense.
• 補欠選手ほけつせんしゅ
  nounA spare player or substitute on a sports team, someone waiting on the bench; use it when 'sub' or 'benchwarmer' refers to athletics rather than general substitutes.

For everyday uses of 'sub' or substitute, 「サブ」 is the common choice; 補欠選手 is specifically a substitute sports player; 「置換キャラクタ」 is the technical computing term for the SUB control character.

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

• サブsub
• 置換キャラクタちかんキャラクタsubstitute character
• 補欠選手ほけつせんしゅspare player