At the A1 level, you only need to know that 電池 (denchi) means 'battery.' You should be able to recognize the word when you see it in a store and use it in very simple sentences like 'Denchi o kudasai' (Batteries, please). At this stage, focusing on the kanji is helpful: the first character (electricity) is one of the most common characters you will learn, also found in 'denki' (electricity/light) and 'densha' (train). The second character (pond) is less common but easy to remember as a place where electricity is 'pooled.' You should also learn the basic size names like 'tan-san' (AA) for shopping needs. Most A1 learners will encounter this word when their electronic dictionary or a small toy stops working. Just remember: Denchi = Battery.
At the A2 level, you should be able to use 電池 in more complex daily interactions. You should learn the common verb pairing 電池が切れる (denchi ga kireru) to describe a battery running out. You should also be able to distinguish between 電池 and バッテリー, using the former for small household items and the latter for phones or cars. Understanding the basic grammar of 'putting in' (入れる - ireru) and 'replacing' (替える - kaeru) batteries is essential. You might also start to notice the word in public places, such as signs for battery recycling. Your goal at A2 is to handle a situation where a device stops working and you need to find or buy the correct replacement battery in a Japanese store.
At the B1 level, you are expected to use 電池 in a variety of social and semi-technical contexts. You should be familiar with related terms like 充電池 (jūdenchi - rechargeable battery) and ボタン電池 (botan denchi - button cell). You should also understand the nuances of battery life, using phrases like 電池の持ちがいい (denchi no mochi ga ii). At this level, you should be able to read simple instructions on how to change batteries in a manual or follow municipal rules for battery disposal. You might also use the word when discussing environmental topics, such as the benefits of using rechargeable batteries over disposable ones. Your vocabulary should expand to include 'leaking' (液漏れ - ekimore) and 'capacity' (容量 - yōryō).
At the B2 level, you can discuss the technical and environmental aspects of 電池 with confidence. You should be familiar with compound words like 太陽電池 (taiyō denchi - solar cell) and 燃料電池 (nenryō denchi - fuel cell). You can understand news reports about the battery industry, such as Japan's competitive position in the global market or the development of new materials for lithium-ion batteries. You should be able to explain the recycling process in detail using appropriate vocabulary like 回収 (kaishū - collection) and 資源 (shigen - resources). Your use of particles and transitive/intransitive verbs related to batteries should be near-perfect, allowing you to describe complex problems with electronic devices clearly.
At the C1 level, your understanding of 電池 extends to specialized academic or professional domains. You can read scientific papers or technical specifications involving 固体電池 (kotai denchi - solid-state batteries) or 蓄電池 (chikudenchi - storage batteries). You understand the historical context of battery development in Japan and can discuss its impact on the economy and society. You can use the word metaphorically if needed, although it is less common in Japanese than in English. You are also sensitive to the register of the word, knowing when to use highly formal technical terms versus everyday language. You can participate in debates about energy policy, where battery storage technology is a key topic, using sophisticated grammar and vocabulary.
At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 電池 and all its technical, social, and historical nuances. You can effortlessly switch between colloquial household talk and high-level engineering jargon. You understand the subtle differences between similar terms across different industries (e.g., automotive vs. consumer electronics). You are familiar with the latest innovations in battery technology reported in Japanese media and can critique them. Your ability to explain the chemical principles of a battery in Japanese, if required, would be on par with an educated native speaker. You are also aware of any obscure idioms or very specific regional variations in how batteries are handled or discussed across Japan. The word is no longer a 'vocabulary item' but a tool for complex thought and communication.

電池 في 30 ثانية

  • 電池 (denchi) is the universal Japanese word for 'battery,' applicable to household items like remotes and toys.
  • The word is composed of kanji meaning 'electricity' and 'pond,' signifying a reservoir of electrical energy.
  • Key phrases include 'denchi ga kireru' (battery runs out) and 'denchi o ireru' (put in a battery).
  • Japanese culture emphasizes strict recycling of batteries; they should never be thrown into regular trash.

The Japanese word 電池 (でんち - denchi) is the standard term for 'battery.' Etymologically, it is a fascinating compound consisting of two kanji characters: (den), meaning electricity, and (chi), meaning pond or reservoir. Literally translated, a battery in Japanese is an 'electricity pond.' This poetic yet logical naming convention suggests a container where electrical energy is pooled or stored for later use. In modern Japanese society, you will encounter this word daily, whether you are looking for AA batteries at a convenience store (konbini), discussing the battery life of your smartphone, or dealing with electric vehicles (EVs). The word is ubiquitous and essential for anyone living or traveling in Japan, as it covers everything from the smallest button cell to massive industrial storage units.

Common Types
In Japan, standard disposable batteries are called 乾電池 (kandenchi), literally 'dry batteries.' These are subdivided into sizes like 単1 (tan-ichi / D size) down to 単4 (tan-yon / AAA size). Rechargeable batteries are known as 充電池 (jūdenchi), which is a combination of 'charge' and 'battery.'

すみません、電池はどこにありますか? (Excuse me, where are the batteries?)

When using 電池, it is important to understand the associated verbs. To 'put in' a battery, you use 入れる (ireru). To 'replace' it, you use 入れ替える (irekaeru) or 交換する (kōkan suru). When a battery 'runs out,' the most common expression is 電池が切れる (denchi ga kireru), which literally means the battery has 'cut' or 'disconnected.' If a battery is 'dead,' you might say 電池がなくなった (denchi ga nakunatta). For devices with internal batteries like phones, people often talk about the 電池残量 (denchi zanryō) or battery remaining amount. Understanding these nuances helps you communicate technical needs effectively in Japanese.

Culturally, Japan is very strict about battery disposal. You cannot simply throw 電池 in the regular burnable trash. Most municipalities have specific days for 'harmful waste' (yūgai gomi) or collection boxes at electronics stores and supermarkets. Knowing the word is the first step; knowing the disposal rules is the hallmark of a responsible resident. Furthermore, the development of battery technology is a point of national pride in Japan, with companies like Panasonic and Sony historically leading the world in lithium-ion technology. Thus, you might hear the word in news reports regarding technological innovation and environmental sustainability.

このリモコン、電池が切れているみたいだよ。 (It looks like the batteries in this remote are dead.)

Voltage and Power
When buying batteries, you might see 電圧 (den'atsu) for voltage and 容量 (yōryō) for capacity. High-capacity batteries are often marketed as 'long-lasting' (長持ち - nagamochi).

Using 電池 (denchi) correctly involves pairing it with the right particles and verbs depending on the context of the action. At its most basic level, 電池 acts as a simple noun. For example, 'I bought a battery' is 電池を買いました (Denchi o kaimashita). However, the complexity increases when describing the state of the battery or the action of charging and discharging.

The 'Running Out' Pattern
The most common sentence pattern is [Device]の電池が切れる. Note the use of the particle が (ga) to indicate the subject (the battery) and the verb 切れる (kireru). This is an intransitive construction, implying the battery ran out on its own. Example: マウスの電池が切れました (Mausu no denchi ga kiremashita) - The mouse battery ran out.

予備の電池を持っていますか? (Do you have a spare battery?)

When you want to describe the act of putting batteries into a device, use the particle に (ni) for the destination and を (o) for the object. For example: おもちゃに電池を入れる (Omocha ni denchi o ireru) - To put batteries into a toy. If you are discussing the longevity of a battery, the adjective いい (ii - good) or 悪い (warui - bad) is often used with 持ち (mochi - duration/holding). You will hear: この電池は持ちがいい (Kono denchi wa mochi ga ii) - This battery lasts a long time.

In formal or technical writing, you might see 電池 combined with other nouns to form compound words. 太陽電池 (Taiyō denchi) means solar cell or solar battery. 燃料電池 (Nenryō denchi) means fuel cell. These terms are frequently found in environmental reports and science news. For students of Japanese, mastering the transition from simple household usage ('Where are the AA batteries?') to these technical compounds marks a significant step in vocabulary enrichment. Always remember that while 'battery' in English can sometimes refer to a 'battery of tests,' 電池 is strictly limited to the electrical storage device.

新しい電池に交換したほうがいいですよ。 (It's better to replace it with new batteries.)

Negative States
If a battery has leaked, the term is 液漏れ (ekimore). You might say: 電池が液漏れしている (Denchi ga ekimore shite iru) - The battery is leaking fluid. This is a crucial phrase for safety.

The word 電池 (denchi) is heard in a variety of everyday settings in Japan, ranging from the mundane to the highly technical. One of the most common places is the コンビニ (konbini) or convenience store. If you can't find the battery section, which is usually near the stationery or smartphone accessories, you would ask the clerk using this word. Similarly, in 家電量販店 (kaden ryōhanten) or large electronics retailers like Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera, signs for 電池売り場 (denchi uriba - battery sales floor) are ubiquitous. You will hear announcements about battery recycling or promotions for long-lasting alkaline batteries.

「あ、リモコンの電池が切れた。予備あったっけ?」 ("Ah, the remote batteries died. Did we have spares?")

In a domestic setting, the word is often part of household chores. Parents might tell their children to 電池を抜く (denchi o nuku - take out the batteries) before storing a toy for a long time to prevent leakage. In the workplace, particularly in IT or construction, people frequently check the 電池の持ち (denchi no mochi - battery life) of their tools and laptops. During natural disasters, which are a reality in Japan, 電池 becomes a critical survival term. Radio broadcasts and emergency guides will emphasize having enough 乾電池 (kandenchi) for flashlights and portable radios. This context elevates the word from a mere convenience to a necessity for safety.

Another modern context is the rise of the 電気自動車 (denki jidōsha - Electric Vehicle/EV). News reports frequently discuss 次世代電池 (jisedai denchi - next-generation batteries) like solid-state batteries (全固体電池 - zenkotai denchi). In these high-level discussions, the word 電池 is used to represent the pinnacle of Japanese industrial innovation. Whether it's a small child complaining that their game console is dying or a CEO discussing multi-billion yen investments in battery plants, the word remains the same, proving its versatility across all social strata and industries.

この時計は電池式ですか、それともソーラーですか? (Is this watch battery-powered or solar?)

Recycling Centers
At municipal offices (kuyakusho/shiyakusho), you will see boxes labeled 使用済み電池回収箱 (shiyō-zumi denchi kaishū-bako) - Used battery collection box.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 電池 (denchi) is confusing it with the loanword バッテリー (batterī). While they both mean 'battery,' their usage is not always interchangeable. 電池 generally refers to dry cells (AA, AAA) or the general concept of a battery. バッテリー is almost exclusively used for car batteries or the internal rechargeable batteries of smartphones and laptops. If you ask for a 'batterī' at a convenience store when you want AA batteries for a remote, the clerk might be slightly confused, though they will likely understand from context. To be safe, use 電池 for anything you can physically swap out.

❌ スマホの乾電池がなくなった。
✅ スマホの電池(またはバッテリー)が切れた。

Another common error involves the verb 'to charge.' Many learners try to use チャージする (chāji suru) because it sounds like 'charge.' While チャージ is used for adding money to a transportation card (like Suica or Pasmo), it is rarely used for electrical charging. For batteries, you must use 充電する (jūden suru). Saying 電池をチャージする sounds like you are trying to put money into a battery! Always remember: Money = Charge, Electricity = Jūden.

Finally, learners often struggle with battery sizes. In English, we say 'AA' or 'AAA.' In Japanese, these are 単三 (tan-san) and 単四 (tan-yon). Using the English letters might work in tech-savvy circles, but in a local hardware store, you need the Japanese 'Tan' system. Mistaking 単三 for 単三形 (tan-san-gata) is fine, as both mean the same thing, but simply saying 'A-A' might lead to a blank stare. Also, ensure you don't confuse 電池 with 電気 (denki). While they share the first kanji, 電気 means 'electricity' or 'the lights.' If you say 電気が切れた, it usually means the power went out or the lightbulb burnt out, not necessarily that a battery died.

❌ 電池をチャージしてください。
✅ 電池を充電してください。

Summary of Confusion
1. Denchi vs Batterī (Physical unit vs Internal/Car battery). 2. Jūden vs Chāji (Electric charge vs Money charge). 3. Tan-san vs AA (Japanese size names vs English size names).

While 電池 (denchi) is the most common word for battery, there are several related terms that you should know to sound more natural and precise in different contexts. The most important distinction is between disposable and rechargeable batteries. As mentioned, 乾電池 (kandenchi) refers specifically to dry-cell batteries like the ones you buy in packs of four. On the other hand, 充電池 (jūdenchi) refers to rechargeable ones like Eneloop. If you want to be even more specific, you can use 二次電池 (niji denchi), which is the technical term for a secondary (rechargeable) battery, versus 一次電池 (ichi denchi) for a primary (disposable) battery.

Denchi vs. Batterī
Use 電池 for: Remotes, clocks, toys, and general conversation. Use バッテリー for: Smartphones, laptops, cars, and technical specs of capacity (e.g., 'The battery is 5000mAh').

このデジカメ、専用のバッテリーが必要なんだ。 (This digital camera needs a specific battery pack.)

Another word you might encounter is 蓄電池 (chikudenchi). This specifically means a 'storage battery' or 'accumulator.' You will see this word in the context of solar energy systems for homes or large-scale power grids. It implies a larger capacity for 'storing' (chiku) electricity. For very small devices like watches or hearing aids, the term ボタン電池 (botan denchi) or 'button battery' is used. In recent years, リチウムイオン電池 (richiumu ion denchi) has become a common phrase even in non-technical circles due to its prevalence in modern electronics.

In summary, while 電池 is your 'go-to' word, paying attention to these alternatives will help you navigate specialized environments. If you are at a car repair shop, say バッテリー. If you are talking about the environment, say 蓄電池 or 太陽電池. If you are just trying to fix your TV remote, 電池 is perfect. This tiered approach to vocabulary allows you to adapt your language to the situation, a key skill in Japanese social interaction (aisatsu and keigo contexts included).

予備の乾電池を防災バッグに入れておこう。 (Let's put some spare dry-cell batteries in the disaster prevention bag.)

Comparison Table
電池 (Denchi): General, household.
バッテリー (Batterī): Tech, automotive, internal.
充電池 (Jūdenchi): Specifically rechargeable.
ボタン電池 (Botan denchi): Coin-shaped.

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

電池をください。

Batteries, please.

Simple noun + particle 'o' + kudasai.

2

これは電池ですか?

Is this a battery?

Basic question form 'desu ka'.

3

電池はどこですか?

Where are the batteries?

Asking for location with 'doko'.

4

電池が一つあります。

There is one battery.

Using the counter 'hitotsu' for small objects.

5

この電池は安いです。

This battery is cheap.

Adjective 'yasui' modifying the noun.

6

電池を買います。

I will buy batteries.

Future/present tense verb 'kaimasu'.

7

それは小さな電池です。

That is a small battery.

Adjective 'chiisana' modifying the noun.

8

電池、ありがとう。

Batteries, thank you.

Casual expression of gratitude.

1

リモコンの電池が切れました。

The remote battery ran out.

Intransitive verb 'kireru' for running out.

2

新しい電池を入れてください。

Please put in new batteries.

Verb 'ireru' in the 'te-form' for requests.

3

電池を買いに行きましょう。

Let's go buy batteries.

Volitional form 'mashō' with 'ni iku'.

4

予備の電池はありますか?

Are there any spare batteries?

Noun 'yobi' (spare) modifying 'denchi'.

5

この電池はまだ使えますか?

Can I still use this battery?

Potential form 'tsukaeru' (can use).

6

電池の種類を教えてください。

Please tell me the type of battery.

Noun 'shurui' (type) with 'oshieru'.

7

電池がなくなったので、動きません。

It doesn't move because the battery is gone.

Using 'node' to express reason/cause.

8

単三電池を二本買いました。

I bought two AA batteries.

Using the counter 'hon' for long, cylindrical objects.

1

この充電池は何度も使えて便利です。

This rechargeable battery is convenient because it can be used many times.

Compound noun 'jūdenchi' and potential verb.

2

電池の持ちがいいカメラを探しています。

I'm looking for a camera with good battery life.

The phrase 'mochi ga ii' for long-lasting.

3

古い電池はゴミ箱に捨てないでください。

Please do not throw old batteries in the trash can.

Negative request 'nai de kudasai'.

4

電池が液漏れして、壊れてしまいました。

The battery leaked and it ended up breaking.

Noun 'ekimore' and 'te shimau' for regretful results.

5

時計の電池を交換するのは難しいですか?

Is it difficult to replace the watch battery?

Nominalizing a verb with 'no' to make it a subject.

6

このおもちゃは単四電池が三本必要です。

This toy requires three AAA batteries.

Specifying battery size with 'tan-yon'.

7

ボタン電池は子供が飲み込むと危険です。

It is dangerous if a child swallows a button battery.

Conditional 'to' indicating a natural consequence.

8

旅行には予備の電池を持って行ったほうがいい。

It's better to take spare batteries on your trip.

Advice form 'hō ga ii'.

1

太陽電池パネルを屋根に設置しました。

We installed solar panels (cells) on the roof.

Compound noun 'taiyō denchi paneru'.

2

この製品は、リチウムイオン電池を使用しています。

This product uses lithium-ion batteries.

Formal verb 'shiyō suru' (to use).

3

環境のために、使い捨て電池の使用を減らしましょう。

For the sake of the environment, let's reduce the use of disposable batteries.

Noun 'tsukaisute' (disposable) and 'tame ni' (for/purpose).

4

電池の残量が少なくなると、警告が表示されます。

When the remaining battery level gets low, a warning is displayed.

Passive verb 'hyōji sareru' (is displayed).

5

この電池は、低温環境でも性能が落ちにくいです。

The performance of this battery does not easily drop even in low-temperature environments.

Suffix 'ni-kui' (hard to/resistant to).

6

自治体の指示に従って、電池を正しく回収してください。

Please follow the municipality's instructions and collect/dispose of batteries correctly.

Formal request with 'ni shitagatte' (following).

7

燃料電池車は、究極のエコカーと呼ばれています。

Fuel cell vehicles are called the ultimate eco-cars.

Compound noun 'nenryō denchi sha'.

8

電池の正極と負極を間違えないように注意してください。

Be careful not to mistake the positive and negative poles of the battery.

Technical terms 'seikyoku' and 'fukyoku'.

1

次世代の全固体電池は、電気自動車の航続距離を飛躍的に伸ばすだろう。

Next-generation solid-state batteries will likely dramatically extend the range of electric vehicles.

Academic terms 'zenkotai denchi' and 'hiyaku-teki' (dramatic).

2

リチウムイオン電池の熱暴走を防ぐための安全装置が組み込まれている。

Safety devices are incorporated to prevent thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries.

Technical term 'netsu-bōsō' (thermal runaway).

3

この研究は、電池のエネルギー密度を向上させることを目的としている。

This research aims to improve the energy density of batteries.

Formal structure 'koto o mokuteki to shite iru'.

4

家庭用蓄電池の普及は、災害時の停電対策として注目されている。

The spread of household storage batteries is attracting attention as a measure against power outages during disasters.

Noun 'fukyū' (spread/diffusion).

5

電池の劣化に伴い、最大容量が徐々に減少していくのは避けられない。

As the battery deteriorates, it is inevitable that the maximum capacity will gradually decrease.

Grammar 'ni totonai' (along with/as...).

6

ノーベル化学賞を受賞した吉野彰氏は、リチウムイオン電池の開発に大きく貢献した。

Akira Yoshino, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, greatly contributed to the development of lithium-ion batteries.

Honorific 'shi' and verb 'kōken suru' (contribute).

7

廃電池から希少金属を回収するリサイクル技術の確立が急務となっている。

Establishing recycling technology to recover rare metals from waste batteries is an urgent task.

Noun 'kyūmu' (urgent matter).

8

そのデバイスは、電池駆動時間の長さが最大のセールスポイントだ。

The long battery operating time is the biggest selling point of that device.

Compound noun 'denchi kudō jikan'.

1

電池の内部抵抗の増大が、高負荷時における電圧降下の主因である。

The increase in internal resistance of the battery is the main cause of voltage drop under high load.

Highly technical engineering vocabulary.

2

エネルギー転換政策において、大規模な電力系統用蓄電池の役割は極めて大きい。

In energy transition policies, the role of large-scale storage batteries for power grids is extremely significant.

Political/Economic discourse terminology.

3

固体電解質の界面におけるイオン伝導のメカニズムを解明することが、電池革新の鍵を握る。

Elucidating the mechanism of ion conduction at the interface of solid electrolytes holds the key to battery innovation.

Specialized scientific phrasing.

4

電池という『電気の池』という命名は、現代の高度なエネルギー貯蔵システムを予見していたかのようだ。

The naming of a battery as an 'electricity pond' seems as if it foresaw modern, sophisticated energy storage systems.

Metaphorical and philosophical reflection.

5

供給網の脆弱性を克服するため、電池材料の国産化に向けた取り組みが加速している。

Efforts toward domestic production of battery materials are accelerating to overcome supply chain vulnerabilities.

Strategic business/political vocabulary.

6

電池の自己放電特性を考慮した長期保管プロトコルの策定が必要だ。

It is necessary to formulate a long-term storage protocol that takes into account the self-discharge characteristics of batteries.

Administrative and technical synthesis.

7

微細な漏れ電流が積もり積もって、長期間放置された電池の完全放電を招く。

The accumulation of minute leakage current leads to the complete discharge of batteries left idle for long periods.

Nuanced descriptive language.

8

電池産業の覇権を巡る国際的な競争は、地政学的な緊張を孕んでいる。

International competition for hegemony in the battery industry is fraught with geopolitical tensions.

Advanced geopolitical analysis.

تلازمات شائعة

電池が切れる
電池を入れる
電池を換える
電池の持ち
電池残量
電池切れ
電池式
電池を抜く
電池交換
予備の電池

العبارات الشائعة

電池がなくなる

— To run out of battery power. Used interchangeably with 'kireru'.

電池がなくなったから、充電して。

電池がもたない

— The battery doesn't last long. Used for poor performance.

この古い携帯は電池がもたない。

電池をセットする

— To set or install batteries in a device.

電池をセットすれば動きます。

電池の寿命

— Battery lifespan. Refers to when the battery can no longer be used.

電池の寿命が来たようだ。

電池を捨てる

— To throw away batteries (usually implies following rules).

電池を捨てる時は注意してください。

電池を充電する

— To charge a battery (specifically a rechargeable one).

寝る前に電池を充電する。

電池パック

— A battery pack, often used for cameras or power tools.

専用の電池パックが必要です。

電池の向き

— The orientation of the battery (+/- direction).

電池の向きを間違えないで。

電池が熱くなる

— The battery is getting hot. A warning sign of malfunction.

充電中に電

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