Translation guide
A documentary is a non-fiction film or television program that presents facts about real events, people, or issues. In Japanese, the most common word is ドキュメンタリー, a loanword from English. There are also native terms like 記録映画 (documentary film) and ルポルタージュ (reportage). This guide covers how to refer to documentaries and related expressions.
documentary
Referring to a non-fiction film or television program that documents reality.
The most common and direct translation. Used for both film and TV documentaries. Often abbreviated as ドキュメンタリー番組 for TV programs.
Last night I watched an interesting documentary.
That documentary deals with environmental issues.
Literally 'record film'. A more formal or traditional term for documentary film, often used in historical or archival contexts.
This documentary film depicts life during the war.
From French 'reportage'. Refers to a documentary-style report or film, often with a journalistic approach. Less common than ドキュメンタリー.
His latest work is a socially conscious documentary.
Describing something as having a documentary style or being non-fiction.
ドキュメンタリー is the everyday word for any documentary, while 記録映画 sounds more formal and is often used for historical or archival films. In casual conversation, ドキュメンタリー is preferred.
Do you like watching documentaries on TV?
This documentary film is preserved in the National Film Archive.
Means 'non-fiction'. Can refer to books, films, or TV programs. Often used in contrast to fiction.
He is a non-fiction writer.