Translation guide
The Christian or Jewish holy book. In Japanese, the most common word is 聖書 (せいしょ). There are also specific terms for the Old and New Testaments, and a few related expressions.
Referring to the holy book of Christianity or Judaism in general.
The standard word for 'Bible'. It literally means 'holy book' and is used for both the Christian and Jewish scriptures.
毎日聖書を読んでいます。
I read the Bible every day.
聖書の言葉は多くの人に影響を与えました。
The words of the Bible have influenced many people.
Loanword from English. Often used in a figurative sense to mean 'a definitive guide' or 'bible' in a non-religious context, but can also refer to the actual Bible, especially in casual conversation.
この本はプログラマーのバイブルと呼ばれています。
This book is called the programmer's bible.
Referring specifically to the first part of the Christian Bible, or the Hebrew Bible.
Literally 'Old Covenant Bible'. The standard term for the Old Testament.
旧約聖書はヘブライ語で書かれました。
The Old Testament was written in Hebrew.
Referring specifically to the second part of the Christian Bible.
Literally 'New Covenant Bible'. The standard term for the New Testament.
新約聖書にはイエスの教えが記されています。
The New Testament contains the teachings of Jesus.
Talking about a physical book or a particular version.
Literally 'Bible book'. Used when emphasizing the physical object, though 聖書 alone is often sufficient.
その聖書の本はとても古いです。
That Bible is very old.
Means 'one copy of the Bible'. Used with counters.
彼は一冊の聖書をプレゼントしてくれました。
He gave me a Bible as a present.
Using 'bible' to mean an essential or definitive guide in a field.
The loanword is the most natural way to express this figurative meaning.
この辞書は英語学習者のバイブルです。
This dictionary is the English learner's bible.
A more formal, literary phrase meaning 'indispensable book' or 'vade mecum'. Not a direct translation of 'bible' but conveys a similar idea.
このガイドは登山家にとって必携の書だ。
This guide is the mountaineer's bible.
聖書 specifically refers to the Christian/Jewish Bible. For other religions' scriptures, use different terms: コーラン (Quran), 仏典 (ぶってん, Buddhist scriptures), etc.
In English, 'Bible' is capitalized when referring to the religious text. In Japanese, there is no capitalization, so 聖書 is written in kanji or kana without special capitalization.