Translation guide
ASCII art refers to pictures created using text characters. In Japanese, this is commonly called AA (アスキーアート) and is a popular form of online expression, especially on forums like 2channel. This guide covers how to talk about ASCII art and related text-based art in Japanese.
Referring to pictures made with ASCII characters, often shared online.
The standard loanword for ASCII art. Widely understood in online contexts.
This ASCII art is really well done.
Abbreviation for アスキーアート, very common in Japanese internet slang. Pronounced as the letters 'A' 'A'.
There are lots of funny ASCII art on 2channel.
A broader term meaning 'text art', which includes ASCII art but can also refer to art made with any text characters, not just ASCII.
I heard there's going to be an exhibition of text art.
Referring specifically to the style of ASCII art that uses Japanese character encodings like Shift_JIS to create more detailed pictures, often featuring anime characters.
Art created using the Shift_JIS character encoding, which allows for a wider range of characters and is typical of Japanese ASCII art.
Speaking of famous characters in Shift_JIS art, there's Mona.
Sometimes used interchangeably with Shift_JIS art, though technically refers to art using JIS encoding.
Referring to emoticons made with text characters, which are a subset of ASCII art but often distinguished in Japanese.
Literally 'face characters', this is the standard term for emoticons like (^_^) or (T_T). While not always considered full ASCII art, they are a related concept.
Japanese emoticons are often vertical rather than sideways.
While now often associated with emoji, historically it could refer to pictorial text characters. In modern usage, it's distinct from ASCII art.
In modern Japanese, 絵文字 usually means emoji (the colorful icons), not ASCII art. Use 顔文字 for text-based emoticons.
Talking about the act of making or sharing ASCII art.
Common phrase meaning 'to post ASCII art' (literally 'to paste AA'), used on forums and social media.
Let's liven up the thread by posting some ASCII art.
Means 'to create ASCII art'.
He creates ASCII art as a hobby.
In Japanese online culture, AA (エーエー) is the most common term. While アスキーアート is understood, AA is more natural in casual conversation about internet memes and forums.
ASCII art (AA) usually refers to larger, more complex pictures, while 顔文字 (kaomoji) are simple emoticons. However, the line can blur, and some simple AA are used like emoticons.
In the old days of PC communication, JIS art was popular.
Old mobile phones couldn't use emoji, so people used emoticons.