1.
lock; padlock
A device for securing a door, gate, or container. Can refer to the lock mechanism itself or to a padlock.
錠をかける。
Lock up.
自転車の錠を外してください。
Please unlock the bicycle lock.
出かける前に、全部の窓に錠をかけたか確認した。
Before leaving, I checked that all the windows were locked.
2.
tablet; pill
A solid unit of medicine, used as a counter for tablets. Common in pharmacy and medical contexts.
この薬は一回二錠です。
Take two tablets per dose.
錠剤は水で飲んでください。
Please take the tablets with water.
毎食後に一錠ずつ服用してください。
Please take one tablet after each meal.
Has two distinct uses: as a word for locks and as a counter/word for medicine tablets.
SENSE 1 — LOCK:
Refers to any locking device. The phrase 錠をかける (to lock) is very common in daily life.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS (lock):
- 錠をかける — to lock
- 錠を外す — to unlock
- 錠を開ける — to open a lock
- 南京錠 — padlock
SENSE 2 — TABLET:
Used both as a noun meaning 'tablet/pill' and as a counter for counting individual tablets: 一錠, 二錠, 三錠.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS (tablet):
- 錠剤 — tablet (medicine form)
- 一錠 — one tablet
- 二錠 — two tablets
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 鍵 — key; lock (more general, refers to both the key and the lock)
- 施錠 — locking (formal/written)