Translation guide
The English word 'campaign' covers organized efforts to achieve a goal, military operations, and political election activities. Japanese uses different words depending on the context.
A planned series of activities aimed at achieving a particular objective, such as promoting a product, raising awareness, or fundraising.
The most common and direct loanword for 'campaign' in marketing, advertising, and promotional contexts. Widely understood.
新商品のキャンペーンを始めます。
We will launch a campaign for the new product.
そのキャンペーンは大成功でした。
That campaign was a great success.
Used for social movements, awareness campaigns, or drives (e.g., anti-smoking, fundraising). Implies a sustained, often grassroots effort.
禁煙運動に参加しています。
I'm participating in an anti-smoking campaign.
募金運動を始めましょう。
Let's start a fundraising campaign.
A more explicit phrase combining the loanword with 'activity'. Used when you want to emphasize the activities themselves.
キャンペーン活動を通じて認知度を高めます。
We will raise awareness through campaign activities.
A connected series of military operations forming a distinct phase of a war.
The standard term for a military operation or campaign. Can also be used metaphorically for strategic plans.
その作戦は成功した。
The campaign was successful.
太平洋作戦について学んでいます。
I'm studying the Pacific campaign.
The organized effort to get a candidate elected to office.
The standard term for an election campaign. Refers to the activities candidates undertake to win votes.
彼は選挙運動に全力を尽くした。
He put all his effort into the election campaign.
選挙運動は来月から始まります。
The election campaign starts next month.
A hybrid term using the loanword 'campaign'. Common in media and casual conversation.
選挙キャンペーンの戦略を練る。
We are devising a strategy for the election campaign.
キャンペーン is a loanword used mainly for commercial or promotional campaigns. 運動 implies a social movement or drive, often with a grassroots or sustained effort. For example, a 'sales campaign' is セールキャンペーン, while an 'anti-smoking campaign' is 禁煙運動.
夏のセールキャンペーン
summer sales campaign
環境保護運動
environmental protection campaign
While キャンペーン is versatile, it is not used for military operations. Use 作戦 or 軍事行動 instead.
彼らはリサイクル意識を高めるキャンペーンを始めた。
They launched a campaign to raise awareness about recycling.
将軍は作戦を慎重に計画した。
The general planned the campaign carefully.
その候補者の選挙運動は経済改革に焦点を当てた。
The candidate's campaign focused on economic reform.
Literally 'military action', used for broader military campaigns or operations.
その軍事行動は長期化した。
The military campaign became protracted.