Japanese

ショベル (shoberu): various shovels.

Noun

ショベル ‎(romaji shoberu)

1. a shovel

Synonyms

• シャベル ‎(shaberu): a shovel
• スコップ ‎(sukoppu): a spade, a scoop, a trowel

Usage notes

The term シャベル ‎(shaberu) appears to be the most general term for a shovel used by hand.

The Japanese Industrial Standards define a distinction between ショベル ‎(shoberu) (notably not シャベル ‎(shaberu)) and スコップ ‎(sukoppu), stating that a hand ショベル ‎(shoberu) has a footrest on the back of the blade of the shovel where the user can place their foot for greater leverage, while a スコップ ‎(sukoppu) has no such footrest.

A large shovel as part of construction equipment appears to be more commonly called a ショベル ‎(shoberu). However, even in this context, シャベル ‎(shaberu) is also used.

References

1. ↑ 1988, 国語大辞典（新装版） (Kokugo Dai Jiten, Revised Edition) (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan
2. 1 2 2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, ISBN 4-385-13905-9