1.
boiler (for heating water or generating steam)
A closed vessel that heats water or produces steam, used for building heating, hot water supply, baths, or industrial power. Commonly found in apartment buildings, factories, public baths, and hotels.
Used for both household and industrial boilers in Japanese. In many Japanese apartments, the ボイラー (often a gas water heater) is a critical appliance for hot water and bath heating; winter breakdowns are a significant problem.
Common collocations
- ボイラーが動く: for the boiler to run/operate
- ボイラーをつける: to turn on the boiler
- ボイラーが壊れる: for the boiler to break
- 大型ボイラー: large-scale boiler
- 給湯ボイラー: hot-water supply boiler
- ボイラー室: boiler room
Similar words
- 給湯器: water heater — the more specific term for home hot-water units; overlaps with home-use ボイラー
- 湯沸し器: water heater/kettle — a smaller-scale hot water device
- エアコン: air conditioner (heating/cooling) — a different type of heating system, electric rather than water-based
Cultural note
In cold regions like Hokkaido and Tohoku, many homes rely on 灯油 (kerosene) ボイラー for both heating and hot water. In urban apartments, gas-powered 給湯器 are more common.