Translation guide
The act of speaking aloud for someone else to write down, or the resulting text. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific verbs and nouns depending on whether you are giving or taking dictation, and in what context.
To write down what someone else is saying, as in a classroom or office setting.
General phrase for taking dictation, literally 'do writing down'. Common in educational contexts.
The teacher gave us an English dictation.
Noun meaning 'dictation' as an exercise or the act of writing down spoken words. Often used in school settings.
Formal term for taking dictation, often used in legal or business contexts where someone dictates a letter or document.
Loanword from English, used mainly in language learning contexts for dictation exercises.
To speak words aloud so that another person can write them down.
Causative form of 書き取る, meaning 'to make someone write down' or 'to dictate'. Natural in classroom settings.
The teacher dictated the new vocabulary words to the students.
Formal verb meaning 'to dictate' (speak aloud for transcription). Used in business or legal contexts.
The lawyer dictated the will.
Using the loanword as a verb phrase, but less common than native expressions.
I'll give the dictation today.
A specific activity where learners write down spoken language to improve listening and writing skills.
The most common term in language learning contexts. Often used in textbooks and classrooms.
Doing dictation every day improves your listening comprehension.
Also used for language learning dictation, especially for writing systems like kanji.
書き取り is the traditional Japanese term for dictation, often associated with kanji practice and school exercises. ディクテーション is a loanword specifically used in foreign language learning contexts. For general dictation (e.g., in an office), 口述筆記 is more appropriate.
The English word 'dictation' cannot be directly translated into a single Japanese word in all contexts. Use the appropriate phrase based on whether you are giving or receiving dictation, and the formality of the situation.
今日の授業は漢字の書き取りから始まった。
Today's class started with kanji dictation.
The president dictated a letter to the secretary.
English dictation helps improve listening skills.
日本語の書き取り練習をしている。
I'm practicing Japanese dictation.