Japanese word

ロボット

Pronunciation

Romajirobotto

Meaning

  • nounrobot

Example

ロボットが荷物を運びます。ro bo tto ga ni motsu o hako bi ma su

A robot carries packages.

Illustration for ロボット (robot)

More examples

ロボットが掃除をします。ro bo tto ga sō ji o shi ma su

The robot cleans.

このロボットは人の質問に答えます。ko no ro bo tto wa hito no shitsu mon ni kota e ma su

This robot answers people's questions.

Core concept

Refers to a machine built to carry out tasks automatically or according to human instructions.

Common phrases

  • ロボットを操作するro bo tto o sō sa su ru

    operate a robot

Definition in Japanese

人間の代わりに、決められた作業をする機械。nin gen no ka wa ri ni ki me ra re ta sa gyō o su ru ki kai

Word origin

ロボット (robotto) is a loanword from English robot, whose source is Czech robota, meaning forced labor or compulsory work; the modern sense was introduced in Karel Čapek's 1920 play R.U.R.

Usage tips

  • English uses robot for machines ranging from factory equipment to home devices, so the word does not imply a human-like shape.

Word lists with this word