Translation guide
The English word "blood" refers to the red liquid in the body, but also appears in many idioms and metaphorical uses. This guide covers the literal meaning, common expressions, and figurative uses, with natural Japanese equivalents.
I'm bleeding. (lit. Blood is coming out.)
血を採る
to draw blood
A more formal or medical term for blood. Often used in compounds.
血液検査を受けました。
I had a blood test.
To talk about family ties by birth.
Literally 'blood is connected', meaning to be related by blood.
彼とは血がつながっていない。
He and I are not related by blood.
Blood relation; often used in formal contexts.
血縁関係にある
to be related by blood
Blood connection; similar to 血がつながっている but as a noun phrase.
血のつながりはなくても家族だ。
Even without blood ties, we are family.
To describe someone's passionate or fiery nature.
Literally 'having much blood', meaning hot-blooded, quick-tempered, or passionate.
彼は血の気が多い。
He is hot-blooded.
Literally 'blood stirs', meaning to feel excited or thrilled, often by one's nature or heritage.
祭りを見ると血が騒ぐ。
My blood stirs when I see a festival.
To express that something required great effort or sacrifice.
Literally 'as if oozing blood', describing painstaking effort.
血のにじむような努力の末、成功した。
After painstaking effort, he succeeded.
Fruit of blood and sweat; a common metaphor for hard-earned results.
この作品は血と汗の結晶だ。
This work is the fruit of blood and sweat.
To refer to killing or violent conflict.
To shed blood; to cause casualties.
これ以上血を流してはいけない。
We must not shed any more blood.
Bloodbath; carnage. Often used figuratively for a brutal competition.
試合は血祭りになった。
The match turned into a bloodbath.
To describe someone as lacking emotion or mercy.
Literally 'without blood or tears', meaning cold-hearted, ruthless.
あんなことをするなんて、血も涙もない。
Doing such a thing, he has no heart.
Cold-blooded (adjective). Often used for crimes or personality.
冷血な殺人者
a cold-blooded murderer
To say something is an inherent trait or talent.
Bloodline; often used to explain innate ability or character.
彼の才能は血筋だ。
His talent is in his blood.
You can't fight blood; a proverb meaning blood will tell, like father like son.
彼も音楽が好きだ。血は争えないね。
He also likes music. Blood will tell.
To talk about blood type as a personality indicator (common in Japan).
Blood type. Often used in casual conversation about personality.
血液型は何型ですか？
What's your blood type?
A型の人は几帳面だと言われる。
People with type A blood are said to be meticulous.
The English idiom 'bad blood' (ill feeling) does not translate directly. Use 確執 (かくしつ) or 不和 (ふわ) for discord, or 悪感情 (あくかんじょう) for ill will.
二人の間には確執がある。
There is bad blood between the two.
In Japan, blood type is often discussed as a personality trait. It's a common small-talk topic, similar to zodiac signs in the West.