Translation guide
The English word 'appeal' covers several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical categories for expressing yourself naturally in Japanese.
Describing something as appealing, attractive, or charming.
The most common and versatile word for 'appeal' in the sense of charm or attractiveness. Used for people, places, things, and abstract qualities.
この街には独特の魅力がある。
This town has a unique appeal.
彼女の魅力は笑顔だ。
Her appeal is her smile.
A loanword from English, often used in contexts like self-promotion, marketing, or making something's appeal known. Can also mean 'to appeal to' as in to attract.
彼は自分の魅力をうまくアピールした。
He successfully appealed his charm.
Means 'popularity' rather than 'appeal' directly, but often used when something has broad appeal.
この商品は若者に人気がある。
This product appeals to young people.
Making a serious or urgent request, often for help, support, or a decision.
A noun meaning 'appeal' as in a plea or petition. Often used in formal or emotional contexts.
被災地からの支援の訴えが届いた。
An appeal for support came from the disaster area.
A formal, earnest appeal or petition, often to an authority. Stronger than 訴え.
A formal request or appeal, often from an organization or government.
Challenging a court decision in a higher court.
The standard legal term for appealing a decision to a higher court.
被告は判決を不服として控訴した。
The defendant appealed the ruling.
An appeal to the Supreme Court, a specific type of legal appeal.
Saying that something appeals to someone, i.e., it is attractive or interesting to them.
Literally 'to pull someone's heart', meaning to appeal to or attract someone. Natural and common.
そのデザインは消費者の心を引く。
The design appeals to consumers.
Means 'to appeal to' in the sense of stirring emotions or interest. Often used with emotions or senses.
この映画は観客の感情に訴える。
This movie appeals to the audience's emotions.
Means 'to be popular with' or 'to appeal to' a certain group. Casual.
この曲は若者に受ける。
This song appeals to young people.
The action of appealing for something, asking earnestly.
The verb form for 'to appeal' as in to plead or make an urgent request. Can also mean to sue or file a complaint.
彼は無実を訴えた。
He appealed his innocence.
住民は市に道路の改善を訴えた。
Residents appealed to the city for road improvements.
To make a formal, earnest appeal or petition.
彼らは国王に助命を嘆願した。
They appealed to the king for mercy.
To formally request or appeal for something, often used by organizations.
国連は停戦を要請した。
The UN appealed for a ceasefire.
The English word 'appeal' is often translated as アピール, but this loanword is mainly used for self-promotion or emphasizing attractive points. It does not cover all meanings of 'appeal'. For legal appeals or earnest requests, use the specific terms above.
魅力 (miryoku) is the inherent charm or appeal of something. アピール (apīru) is the act of promoting or showing off that appeal. Use 魅力 for describing attractiveness, and アピール for actively making something appealing to others.
彼らは減刑を嘆願した。
They made an appeal for a reduced sentence.
政府に支援を要請した。
They appealed to the government for support.
最高裁に上告する。
To appeal to the Supreme Court.