Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'cartoon' depends on the medium and style. The most common and general term is アニメ for animated cartoons, while 漫画 refers to comic strips or comic books. For single-panel cartoons or caricatures, カートゥーン or 戯画 are used. This guide helps you choose the right word based on what kind of cartoon you mean.
You want to refer to a moving cartoon, like a TV show or movie, typically Japanese-style animation or Western animation.
The most common word for animated cartoons, especially Japanese animation. It can also refer to Western animation in casual contexts, though sometimes 海外アニメ (foreign anime) is used for non-Japanese works.
I like watching cartoons on weekends.
A more formal or technical term for animation. Used in industry contexts or when distinguishing from live-action. Less common in everyday speech.
A loanword from English, sometimes used for Western-style cartoons, especially comedic or short-form ones. Not as common as アニメ.
You mean a drawn cartoon in print form, like a comic strip in a newspaper or a comic book.
The standard word for comics or graphic novels. Covers everything from newspaper comic strips to thick manga volumes. Often translated as 'cartoon' in the context of print.
You mean a single drawing, often with a caption, like a political cartoon or a gag cartoon.
Refers to humorous or satirical drawings, often single-panel. Commonly used for political cartoons or caricatures.
You specifically mean a full-length animated movie, like a Disney or Ghibli film.
While カートゥーン is a direct loanword, it's not the default word for 'cartoon' in Japanese. Use アニメ for animation and 漫画 for comics. カートゥーン is mainly used for specific Western cartoon styles or channels.
My kids watch cartoons every morning.
This cartoon is for children.
He works in animation.
I watched cartoons on Cartoon Network.
I read the newspaper cartoons every day.
This cartoon (comic) is very interesting.
A loanword often used for Western-style comic books or as a general term for comics. Sometimes interchangeable with 漫画, but can imply a non-Japanese style.
I collect American comics.
Rarely used for print cartoons; more associated with animation. Might be understood in context of single-panel cartoons or caricatures.
There was a cartoon in the newspaper.
新聞に戯画が載っていた。
There was a cartoon in the newspaper.
Specifically means 'satirical cartoon' or 'political cartoon'. Used for editorial cartoons that critique society or politics.
This cartoon criticizes politicians.
A loanword for 'caricature', used in art contexts. Not commonly used in everyday language.
He is good at drawing caricatures.
The standard term for an animated movie. Combines アニメ (animation) and 映画 (movie).
I went to see an animated movie yesterday.
Means 'feature-length animation'. More descriptive, used in reviews or discussions.
This feature-length cartoon is for adults.
Saying 'I watch cartoons' using カートゥーン might sound a bit unnatural.
アニメ refers to moving images (animation), while 漫画 refers to static drawn images (comics). They are distinct media. If you say 'cartoon' meaning a comic strip, use 漫画; if you mean a TV show, use アニメ.
Anime moves, but manga doesn't.
He draws cartoons for a newspaper.
This political cartoon is very sharp.