Translation guide
Expresses that two or more things are connected, associated, or have a relationship. Japanese uses different words depending on whether the connection is by blood, by logical association, or by general relevance.
To say that people are related by blood or marriage.
Noun meaning 'relative'. Use with だ/です to say 'is a relative' or 'are related'.
He is related to me. (He is my relative.)
Literally 'blood is connected'. Used to emphasize a blood relationship.
We are related by blood.
Formal/legal expression meaning 'to be in a kinship relationship'.
They are related. (formal)
To say that two things or concepts are connected or have a relationship.
Most common way to say 'is related to' or 'has a connection with'. Use ～と関係がある for 'related to ~'.
This problem is related to that problem.
His job is related to education.
Means 'is related' or 'is associated'. Often used for topics, events, or data. Slightly more formal than 関係がある.
The two incidents are related.
Literally 'there is a connection'. Casual and often used for personal or emotional connections.
This town has historical connections.
Means 'are linked' or 'are tied together'. Emphasizes a strong or inseparable connection.
Economy and politics are deeply related.
To say that something is relevant or pertains to a topic.
関係がある is the most general and common way to say 'is related'. 関連している is slightly more formal and often used for logical or factual connections between events, data, or topics. For personal relationships, 関係がある can also mean 'having an affair', so be careful with context.
He is related to the incident. (He is involved.)
The two sets of data are related.
English 'be related' cannot be directly translated as a single verb in Japanese. Use noun + がある or verb phrases like 関連している. Saying 関係される is incorrect.