Translation guide
The English word 'called' has several distinct uses: naming something, summoning someone, making a phone call, describing a visit, or shouting. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
To say what someone or something is named or referred to as.
The most common way to say 'called' when giving a name. Attach directly to the name.
これは「抹茶」というお茶です。
This is a tea called 'matcha'.
田中さんという人に会いました。
I met a person called Mr. Tanaka.
Literally 'is called', slightly more formal or written. Often used for widely known names.
この花は桜と呼ばれています。
This flower is called sakura.
Used as a modifier before a noun: 'a [thing] called [name]'.
「ポチ」という名前の犬を飼っています。
I have a dog called Pochi.
To ask someone to come, or to call out for someone.
General verb for calling someone over, summoning, or calling out a name.
To contact someone by phone.
To go to someone's place or a location briefly.
To say something loudly, often to attract attention.
To shout, yell, or scream.
The loanword コール is mainly used in specific contexts like 'call center' or 'taxi call'. For general phone calls, use 電話する.
呼ぶ means to summon someone to you, while 訪ねる means to go visit someone. They are not interchangeable.
彼を呼んでください。
Please call him (over).
助けを呼んだ。
I called for help.
To call someone out (e.g., from a room), summon officially, or page someone.
会議に呼び出された。
I was called to a meeting.
I called him.
Casual loanword from English, used in some contexts like calling a taxi or in tech.
タクシーをコールする。
To call a taxi.
To visit someone (at their home, office, etc.).
昨日、友達を訪ねました。
I called on a friend yesterday.
To drop by, stop over. Implies a short, casual visit.
帰りにコンビニに立ち寄った。
I called in at a convenience store on the way home.
To stop by, drop in. Very common in casual speech.
ちょっと寄っていく？
Want to call in for a bit?
彼は助けを求めて叫んだ。
He called out for help.
To say in a loud voice, less intense than 叫ぶ.
彼は大声で名前を呼んだ。
He called out the name loudly.