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.
彼女は看護師を天職だと思っている。
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.
彼は教育に使命を感じている。
He feels a calling in education.
A more literary or spiritual term for a divine calling or fate, less common in everyday conversation.
彼は芸術に天命を感じた。
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.
助けを求める叫びが聞こえた。
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.
彼の大声で呼ぶことが聞こえた。
His calling out loudly was heard.
Referring to a short visit, often formal or social, to someone's home or place.
The standard noun for a visit, often used in formal contexts. Can be combined with verbs like する.
彼は友人を訪問した。
He paid a calling on his friend.
A more casual noun form meaning 'the act of visiting', derived from the verb 訪ねる.
久しぶりに彼を訪ねることが楽しみだ。
I'm looking forward to calling on him after a long time.
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.
A formal term for a courtesy call, often used in business or diplomatic contexts.
新社長が取引先に表敬訪問した。
The new president made a courtesy calling on the client.