Translation guide
The English word "calling" can refer to a strong inner urge toward a particular career or vocation, the act of shouting or crying out, or the act of visiting someone. This guide covers these distinct meanings with natural Japanese equivalents.
Expressing a sense of purpose, destiny, or a profession one feels drawn to, often with a spiritual or passionate connotation.
The most direct equivalent for a job or role that feels like one's true calling, often implying a perfect fit or divine assignment.
She feels that nursing is her calling.
Refers to a mission or sense of duty, often used for callings that involve a higher purpose or responsibility.
He feels a calling in education.
A more literary or spiritual term for a divine calling or fate, less common in everyday conversation.
He felt a divine calling in art.
Describing the action of calling out loudly, often to get attention or in distress.
A noun meaning a shout, cry, or yell. Can be used for both literal and figurative calling out.
I heard a calling for help.
Literally 'calling voice', used for a shout or call to summon someone, often in a more neutral or poetic context.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'the act of calling in a loud voice'. More explanatory than a single word.
Referring to a short visit, often formal or social, to someone's home or place.
The English phrase 'my calling' is often translated as 天職, but using 呼ぶこと or similar would be unnatural. Always consider the intended meaning before translating.
天職 emphasizes a perfect fit for one's personality and skills, while 使命 implies a sense of duty or mission, often with a social or moral dimension.
遠くから呼び声がした。
There was a calling from afar.
His calling out loudly was heard.
I'm looking forward to calling on him after a long time.
A formal term for a courtesy call, often used in business or diplomatic contexts.
The new president made a courtesy calling on the client.