Translation guide
The English word 'dungeon' can refer to a medieval prison cell, an underground prison, or a fantasy game labyrinth. Japanese uses different words depending on the context.
A dark, underground prison cell, often in a castle.
Literally 'underground prison'. The most direct and common translation for a medieval dungeon.
彼は地下牢に閉じ込められた。
He was locked in a dungeon.
A general term for prison or jail, can be used for dungeons in a historical context.
その城には暗い牢獄があった。
The castle had a dark dungeon.
An earthen dungeon or cellar prison, often a pit. More specific and less common.
罪人は土牢に入れられた。
The criminal was thrown into an earthen dungeon.
A labyrinth or underground area in RPGs and fantasy settings, filled with monsters and treasure.
The standard loanword for a fantasy game dungeon. Used in video games and light novels.
次のダンジョンに挑戦しよう。
Let's challenge the next dungeon.
Literally 'labyrinth'. Often used for complex dungeons, especially in titles or formal descriptions.
Underground labyrinth. Emphasizes the subterranean aspect.
地下迷宮の奥に宝が眠っている。
Treasure lies deep within the dungeon.
The main tower or stronghold of a castle (historical, not a prison).
The central keep of a Japanese castle. Not a prison, but sometimes translated as 'dungeon' in older texts.
姫路城の天守閣は美しい。
The donjon of Himeji Castle is beautiful.
The innermost bailey or main enclosure of a castle, sometimes including the keep.
Using 'dungeon' for '本丸' is a historical translation; in modern English 'dungeon' means prison, so clarify context.
In English, 'dungeon' can mean both a prison and a game level. In Japanese, 地下牢 (ちかろう) is a prison, while ダンジョン is a game dungeon. Using 地下牢 for a game sounds odd.
このゲームの地下牢は難しい。
This game's dungeon is difficult. (unnatural if it's a fantasy game)
このゲームには巨大な迷宮がある。
This game has a huge dungeon.
本丸には城主が住んでいた。
The lord lived in the dungeon.