カプセル

かぷせる
noun
capsule
healthdaily-life
1. capsule (medicine)
A small container, typically made of gelatin, enclosing a dose of medicine in powder or liquid form.
カプセルを飲(の)む。
I take a capsule.
この薬(くすり)は錠剤(じょうざい)とカプセルの2種類(しゅるい)がある。
This medicine comes in two forms: tablets and capsules.
カプセルが大(おお)きくて飲(の)みにくい場合(ばあい)は医師(いし)に相談(そうだん)してください。
If the capsule is too large and hard to swallow, please consult your doctor.
2. capsule (container, pod)
A small sealed container or pod used in various contexts, such as capsule hotels, time capsules, or space capsules.
カプセルホテルに泊(と)まる。
I stay at a capsule hotel.
卒業式(そつぎょうしき)でタイムカプセルを埋(う)めた。
We buried a time capsule at the graduation ceremony.
宇宙(うちゅう)カプセルが無事(ぶじ)に地球(ちきゅう)に帰還(きかん)した。
The space capsule returned safely to Earth.

From English "capsule." Used broadly in Japanese for any small sealed container, with the pharmaceutical and pod/container senses being equally common.

Common collocations

  • カプセル剤(ざい): capsule medication
  • カプセルホテル: capsule hotel
  • タイムカプセル: time capsule
  • カプセルトイ: capsule toy (gashapon)
  • 宇宙(うちゅう)カプセル: space capsule

Cultural note

Capsule hotels (カプセルホテル) are a uniquely Japanese accommodation style invented in 1979, offering compact sleeping pods at budget prices. They are especially popular with business travelers who miss the last train.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 錠剤(じょうざい) (tablet)
Compare: 顆粒(かりゅう) (granules)
Compare: 粉薬(こなぐすり) (powdered medicine)
general
Added 2026.4.8 6:09 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
22500/22926_kapuseru