Translation guide
A large outdoor advertising structure, typically found along roads or in public spaces. In Japanese, the most common term is 看板 (kanban), but other words exist for specific types like electronic billboards or large signboards.
The most common way to refer to a billboard or signboard in Japanese, used for advertising, shop signs, etc.
The standard word for a signboard or billboard. It can refer to anything from a small shop sign to a large roadside billboard.
あの看板はとても目立つ。
That billboard really stands out.
新しい看板を設置した。
We put up a new signboard.
Specifically an advertising billboard. More precise than 看板 when you want to emphasize it's for advertising.
高速道路沿いに大きな広告看板がある。
There's a big advertising billboard along the highway.
A very large billboard, often seen along highways or in prominent outdoor locations.
Literally 'large billboard'. Used for big roadside billboards.
街の入り口に大看板が立っている。
A large billboard stands at the entrance to the town.
A formal term for an outdoor advertising tower or large billboard structure. Often used in business or legal contexts.
この地域では屋外広告塔の設置が規制されている。
The installation of outdoor advertising towers is regulated in this area.
A billboard that uses electronic displays, such as LED screens, often found in urban areas.
An electronic signboard or display board. Commonly used for digital billboards, information boards in stations, etc.
駅の電光掲示板で電車の時間を確認した。
I checked the train times on the electronic board at the station.
渋谷の交差点には大きな電光掲示板がある。
There's a big electronic billboard at the Shibuya crossing.
Referring to the Billboard music charts (e.g., Billboard Hot 100). This is a proper noun and should be used as is.
The Japanese name for the Billboard music charts. Used in the same way as in English.
彼女の曲がビルボードの1位になった。
Her song reached number one on the Billboard charts.
看板 (kanban) is for advertising or commercial signs, while 標識 (hyōshiki) refers to traffic signs, road signs, or other informational/regulatory signs. Don't confuse them.
道路標識に従って運転する。
Drive according to the road signs.
If you mean a small sign like a price tag or a notice on a wall, 看板 might sound too grand. Use 表示 (hyōji) or 札 (fuda) for smaller labels or tags.
Borrowed from English 'digital signage'. Used for modern digital advertising displays, often in commercial facilities.
ショッピングモールにデジタルサイネージが導入された。
Digital signage was introduced in the shopping mall.