Translation guide
The Jataka tales are stories about the previous lives of the Buddha. In Japanese, the term is usually rendered as ジャータカ or 本生譚. When referring to the collection or the genre, use ジャータカ物語 or 本生経.
Referring to the collection of stories about the Buddha's past lives
The most common and direct loanword from Sanskrit. Used in both academic and popular contexts.
ジャータカは仏教文学の重要な一部です。
The Jataka tales are an important part of Buddhist literature.
A more formal, Sino-Japanese term meaning 'birth stories'. Often used in scholarly or traditional Buddhist contexts.
本生譚には多くの教訓が含まれています。
The Jataka tales contain many moral lessons.
A less common variant combining 'birth story' with 'tale'. Rarely used.
この本生物語は特に有名です。
This Jataka tale is particularly famous.
Referring to the specific scripture or anthology
Commonly used for the collection of Jataka stories, especially in modern publications.
『ジャータカ物語』を読んで仏教に興味を持ちました。
I became interested in Buddhism after reading the Jataka Tales.
The canonical term for the Jataka scripture in the Buddhist canon. Formal and technical.
本生経はパーリ語経典の一部です。
The Jataka is part of the Pali canon.
A direct transliteration of the Pali 'Jātaka-kathā', used in some academic circles.
ジャータカ・カターの研究は進んでいます。
Research on the Jātaka-kathā is progressing.
Referring to one specific tale from the collection
The most natural way to say 'a Jataka story'.
このジャータカの物語は猿の王様の話です。
This Jataka story is about a monkey king.
A concise term for a Jataka story, often used in Buddhist studies.
この本生話は慈悲の心を説いています。
This Jataka story teaches compassion.
ジャータカ is widely understood and used in everyday conversation about Buddhism. 本生譚 is more formal and often appears in academic or traditional religious contexts. For most learners, ジャータカ is sufficient.