Translation guide
The English word 'canvas' can refer to the heavy fabric used for painting, sails, or tents, or metaphorically to a background or setting. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
The material used for oil or acrylic painting, stretched on a frame.
The most common word for an artist's canvas, borrowed from English. Used for both the fabric and the stretched frame.
新しいキャンバスに絵を描き始めた。
I started painting on a new canvas.
A more formal or technical term for canvas as a painting surface, often used in art supply contexts.
この画布は目の粗さがちょうどいい。
The texture of this canvas is just right.
An alternative spelling of キャンバス, less common but sometimes seen.
古いカンバスを再利用した。
I reused an old canvas.
The heavy, durable woven fabric, often made of cotton or linen, used for items like sails, tents, and tote bags.
Literally 'sail cloth', this is the standard term for heavy canvas fabric used in sails, tents, and industrial applications.
このバッグは丈夫な帆布でできている。
This bag is made of sturdy canvas.
Uses the loanword キャンバス plus 生地 (fabric) to specify canvas material, common in fashion and crafts.
キャンバス生地のスニーカーが好きだ。
I like canvas sneakers.
An older term for canvas, especially used for shoes (ズック靴). Now somewhat dated.
A figurative use meaning a background or context in which something happens, or a medium for creative expression.
The loanword キャンバス is often used metaphorically in Japanese, similar to English, to mean a blank slate or creative space.
この街はアーティストにとって無限のキャンバスだ。
This city is an infinite canvas for artists.
Means 'stage' and can be used metaphorically for a setting or backdrop where events unfold.
人生という舞台で、誰もが主役だ。
On the canvas of life, everyone is the lead actor.
Means 'background' and can be used when 'canvas' refers to the setting or context of an event.
The HTML <canvas> element used for graphics in web development.
In technical contexts, the English word 'Canvas' is used as-is, often capitalized, referring to the HTML5 element.
Canvas要素を使ってグラフィックを描画する。
Draw graphics using the Canvas element.
キャンバス is the general loanword for artist's canvas. 画布 is a more formal term for painting canvas. 帆布 specifically means the heavy fabric used for sails, tents, and bags. Use キャンバス生地 for canvas material in everyday items.
キャンバスに油絵を描く。
Paint an oil painting on canvas.
帆布でできたテント。
A tent made of canvas.
While キャンバス is understood for artist's canvas, it may not be natural for heavy-duty fabric items. Use 帆布 for sails, tents, and industrial canvas. For fashion items like bags and shoes, キャンバス生地 is common.
彼女はフレームにキャンバスを張った。
She stretched the canvas over the frame.
帆は厚い帆布で作られていた。
The sails were made of thick canvas.
When I was a child, I wore canvas shoes.
歴史的な背景をキャンバスに、物語が展開する。
The story unfolds against a historical canvas.