Translation guide
The English word 'census' refers to an official count or survey of a population. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 国勢調査 (こくせいちょうさ), which specifically means a national population census. Other terms exist for different types of surveys or registers.
The official count of a country's population, typically conducted every few years.
The standard term for a national census. Used in official contexts and everyday conversation.
The national census is conducted every five years.
Loanword from English, used in technical or statistical contexts. Less common in general conversation.
Official surveys or counts that are not the national population census.
General word for 'survey' or 'investigation'. Often combined with a topic word to specify the type of census.
The agricultural census will be conducted next month.
The results of the economic census were announced.
Also used for non-population censuses in technical fields.
Old systems of population registration, such as the family register system.
Refers to the family register system, which records births, deaths, marriages, etc. Not exactly a census, but sometimes translated as such in historical contexts.
In the Edo period, a population census was conducted based on family registers.
Historical term for religious affiliation registers used in the Edo period, which functioned as a form of census.
国勢調査 is the standard term for the national population census. センサス is a loanword used mainly in academic or statistical contexts, and can refer to various types of censuses (population, economic, etc.). In everyday conversation, 国勢調査 is preferred.
While センサス is understood, it sounds technical. Use 国勢調査 when talking about the regular population count.
It is the duty of citizens to respond to the census.
このデータはセンサスに基づいています。
This data is based on the census.
事業所センサスは経済の実態を把握するために重要です。
The establishment census is important for understanding the actual state of the economy.
The religious census register was based on the temple certification system.