Translation guide
The Greek god of the underworld, or the underworld itself. In Japanese, it is usually referred to by its Greek name in katakana, or described using native terms for the underworld.
Referring to the Greek deity who rules the underworld.
The most direct and common way to refer to the god Hades in Japanese, using the Greek name in katakana. Used in mythology contexts.
Hades is the god of the underworld.
An alternative katakana rendering of Hades, also common. Slightly less faithful to the original Greek pronunciation but widely recognized.
Hades is Zeus's brother.
Referring to the realm of the dead in Greek mythology.
The general term for the underworld or realm of the dead, used in both Greek mythology and other contexts. Often used when explaining Hades as a place.
Hades rules the underworld.
The Japanese native word for the land of the dead, equivalent to Yomi. Can be used to draw parallels, but it's specifically Japanese mythology, not Greek.
This refers to the Japanese mythological underworld, not the Greek Hades. Use only when making comparisons or in poetic contexts.
The name Hades itself can be used to refer to the underworld, just as in English. Context usually makes it clear whether the god or the place is meant.
He was imprisoned in Hades.
Referring to a dark, hellish afterlife realm in a non-Greek context.
The standard word for hell in Japanese, often used in Buddhist or general contexts. Not specific to Greek mythology, but conveys a place of suffering after death.
地獄 implies a place of punishment, unlike the Greek Hades which is more neutral. Use only when the context involves torment.
The wicked fall into hell.
A literary or formal term for the netherworld, sometimes used in translations of Greek myths. Less common in everyday speech.
冥界 (meikai) is a neutral term for the land of the dead, similar to the Greek Hades. 地獄 (jigoku) is hell, a place of punishment. In Greek mythology, Hades is not hell, so 冥界 is more accurate unless referring to Tartarus.
Hades is not hell but the underworld.
ギリシャ神話の冥界は、日本の黄泉に似ている。
The Greek underworld is similar to Japan's Yomi.
Hades, king of the netherworld.