ワープロ

• Reading: ワープロ
• Romaji: waapuro
• Pronunciation: /waː.pɯ.ɾo/

Meaning

A word processor. A device or software used for typing and editing text.

An abbreviation of ワードプロセッサー (waado purosessaa, word processor). Originally referred to dedicated word processing machines that were very popular in Japan during the 1980s and 1990s for typing Japanese. Now mostly refers to word processing software like Microsoft Word.

Examples

1. 昔はワープロで手紙を書きました。 I used to write letters on a word processor.
2. レポートはワープロで書いてください。 Please write your report using a word processor.
3. 父は新しいパソコンより古いワープロの方が好きだった。 My father preferred his old word processor to a new computer.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, office, writing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Abbreviated from ワードプロセッサー (word processor). Dedicated Japanese word processors were a major product category in the 1980s-90s because they handled Japanese input better than early personal computers.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Older adults

Social background: Universal