Translation guide
The English phrase "appeal to" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: attracting interest, making a request, and the less common legal sense. It also warns against literal translations that sound unnatural in Japanese.
This design appeals to young women.
Means 'to be popular with' or 'to be well received by'. Often used for trends, jokes, or products.
That anime appeals to children.
Literally 'to appeal to', but used more for evoking senses or emotions, like 'appeals to the eye' or 'appeals to reason'. Not for general attractiveness.
The advertisement appeals to consumers' emotions.
Asking for help, support, or a decision, often in a formal or public way.
Used for appealing to a person, organization, or the public for action or support. Often formal.
He appealed to the government for support.
Means 'to call on' or 'to appeal to' a group for cooperation or action. Common in public announcements.
Formal term for making an official request or appeal, often used in diplomatic or business contexts.
The legal sense of appealing a court ruling.
The English phrase 'appeal to' is often translated literally as 「〜にアピールする」, but this is a loanword used mainly for self-promotion or showing off one's good points, not for the meanings above. For example, 「自分をアピールする」 means 'to sell oneself' or 'to show off one's strengths', not 'to appeal to someone'.
The mayor appealed to citizens to save electricity.
The UN appealed for a ceasefire.
They appealed to the Supreme Court.