Translation guide
The act of establishing control over a territory and its people, often involving settlement and exploitation. In Japanese, the term varies depending on historical context, nuance, and whether the focus is on settlement, rule, or modern neocolonialism.
Referring to the establishment of colonies, especially by European powers from the 15th to 20th centuries.
The most common and neutral term for colonization as a historical process of establishing colonies and settling them.
The colonization of Africa by European powers accelerated in the 19th century.
An older term for colonization, often used in historical contexts. Can sound somewhat dated or formal.
Japan promoted the colonization of Hokkaido.
Focuses on the act of settling in a new land, often as part of colonization. Implies migration and establishment of communities.
Settlement (colonization) of the American West advanced.
Describing indirect control or influence, often called neocolonialism, without formal political rule.
Literally 'economic colonization', used for situations where a country's economy is dominated by foreign interests.
Economic colonization by multinational corporations is seen as a problem.
Cultural colonialism or cultural imperialism, referring to the imposition of one culture over another.
Referring to the establishment of human habitats beyond Earth, or in uninhabited areas.
Space colonization, a common term in science and futurism.
The colonization of Mars is still in the realm of science fiction.
Can also be used for settling uninhabited or frontier areas, including space, though less common than the compound with 宇宙.
Referring to the spread of organisms into new habitats or the establishment of microorganisms in a host.
Used in ecology for species establishing themselves in a new area. In medicine, for microorganisms colonizing a host without necessarily causing disease.
The colonization (establishment) of invasive species threatens native species.
Literally 'colony formation', used in microbiology for bacterial colonization.
植民地化 is the standard modern term for colonization as a historical/political process. 殖民 is an older term, often used in pre-WWII contexts. 入植 emphasizes the act of settling and is used for both historical colonization and modern frontier settlement (e.g., space).
When referring to economic or cultural domination, simply using 植民地化 may sound too strong or imply formal political control. Use compounds like 経済的植民地化 or 文化植民地主義 to clarify the type of colonization.
The global spread of Hollywood movies is a form of cultural colonization.
月面への入植計画が発表された。
A plan for colonization (settlement) of the moon was announced.
黄色ブドウ球菌の鼻腔への定着はよく見られる。
Colonization of the nasal cavity by Staphylococcus aureus is common.
It inhibits bacterial colonization.