Translation guide
The English word "cardinal" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: the bird, the number, the Catholic official, and the adjective meaning "fundamental."
Referring to the red songbird (Cardinalis cardinalis).
The standard Japanese name for the northern cardinal. Often shortened in casual contexts.
庭にショウジョウコウカンチョウが来た。
A cardinal came to the garden.
Shortened form, commonly used in everyday speech.
あの赤い鳥はコウカンチョウですか？
Is that red bird a cardinal?
Referring to a cardinal number (one, two, three...) as opposed to an ordinal.
The mathematical term for cardinal number.
1、2、3は基数です。
One, two, three are cardinal numbers.
Referring to a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church.
The standard term for a cardinal in the Catholic Church.
彼は枢機卿に任命された。
He was appointed a cardinal.
Meaning "of greatest importance" or "fundamental."
Used as a noun or adjective meaning "basic" or "fundamental." Often used in compounds.
これは基本原則です。
This is a cardinal principle.
A phrase meaning "most important," often used to translate "cardinal" in contexts like "cardinal rule."
それは最も重要なルールだ。
That's the cardinal rule.
Means "fundamental" or "radical," used in more formal or abstract contexts.
The English phrase "cardinal directions" (north, south, east, west) is translated as 方位 (ほうい) or 方角 (ほうがく), not using any word related to "cardinal."
There is a cardinal problem.