カプセル
かぷせる
noun
capsule
1.
capsule (medicine)
A small container, typically made of gelatin, enclosing a dose of medicine in powder or liquid form.
カプセルを飲む。
I take a capsule.
この薬は錠剤とカプセルの2種類がある。
This medicine comes in two forms: tablets and capsules.
カプセルが大きくて飲みにくい場合は医師に相談してください。
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まる。
I stay at a capsule hotel.
卒業式でタイムカプセルを埋めた。
We buried a time capsule at the graduation ceremony.
宇宙カプセルが無事に地球に帰還した。
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: 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)
- 宇宙カプセル: space capsule
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
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:
- 錠剤: tablet — a solid pill form of medicine, as opposed to a capsule
- 顆粒: granules — medicine in granular powder form