Translation guide
In Japanese, the English word 'Giants' most commonly refers to the Yomiuri Giants baseball team. It can also refer to mythical giants, giant creatures in fiction, or be used metaphorically for large corporations or influential figures.
Referring to the professional baseball team based in Tokyo.
The standard name for the Yomiuri Giants. Often used with the honorific prefix さん for familiarity.
今日は巨人戦を見に行く。
I'm going to see the Giants game today.
巨人さんが勝った！
The Giants won!
The full official name, often used in formal contexts or news.
読売ジャイアンツの試合はいつですか？
When is the Yomiuri Giants game?
Referring to a huge humanoid creature in myths, legends, or fairy tales.
The general term for a giant in mythology or fantasy. Can also be used for very tall people.
その巨人は山のように大きかった。
That giant was as big as a mountain.
Literally 'big man', often used for a giant or a very large, strong man in stories.
Referring to a huge animal, monster, or alien in fiction or fantasy.
General term for a giant creature, often used in science fiction or fantasy.
その映画には巨大生物が登場する。
A giant creature appears in that movie.
Specifically a giant monster, like Godzilla or kaiju. Often used for destructive creatures.
怪獣が街を破壊した。
A giant monster destroyed the city.
Referring to a very large, powerful, or influential entity or person.
Used metaphorically for a giant in an industry, like a corporate giant or a giant of literature.
彼は業界の巨人だ。
He is a giant in the industry.
Prefix meaning 'major' or 'leading', used for large companies. Often combined with industry name.
English 'giant' as an adjective (e.g., 'giant robot') is usually translated as 巨大な (きょだいな), not 巨人. 巨人 is a noun meaning 'giant' as a being.
巨大なロボット
giant robot
昔話に大男が出てきた。
A giant appeared in the old tale.
Giant corporations dominate the market.