Translation guide
The English word "exhibition" refers to a public display of items, often in a museum or gallery. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 展覧会 (てんらんかい), but other words like 展示会 (てんじかい) or 博覧会 (はくらんかい) are used depending on the scale and type. This guide helps you choose the right term and use it naturally.
A public display of art, historical artifacts, or cultural items, typically in a museum or gallery.
The most general and common term for an art or museum exhibition. It can be used for both large and small events.
来月、国立美術館でピカソの展覧会があります。
Next month, there will be a Picasso exhibition at the National Museum of Art.
この展覧会はとても人気で、チケットがすぐに売り切れました。
This exhibition was so popular that tickets sold out quickly.
Refers to the display itself or a smaller-scale exhibition. Often used in compounds like 展示会 (てんじかい) or 展示室 (てんじしつ).
博物館の新しい展示はとても興味深かったです。
The new exhibition at the museum was very interesting.
Specifically an art exhibition. Commonly used in names of events.
週末に現代美術展を見に行きませんか？
Would you like to go see the contemporary art exhibition this weekend?
An event where companies showcase products or services, often for business purposes.
The standard term for a trade show or commercial exhibition. Used for industry events, product launches, etc.
来週、東京ビッグサイトで国際自動車展示会が開催されます。
Next week, the International Motor Show will be held at Tokyo Big Sight.
この展示会では最新のテクノロジーが紹介されます。
The latest technology will be introduced at this exhibition.
A large-scale exposition or fair, often international. Think of a world expo.
Trade fair, specifically for business-to-business transactions. More formal and industry-specific.
A display or demonstration of a particular ability, feeling, or characteristic.
Used to express the exhibition of a skill, ability, or quality. Often paired with verbs like する or 見せる.
彼は試合で素晴らしいリーダーシップを発揮した。
He exhibited wonderful leadership in the game.
彼女はその場で冷静さを発揮した。
She exhibited calmness on the spot.
Literally 'to show', used to mean exhibiting a quality or behavior.
彼は怒りを見せた。
He exhibited anger.
展覧会 is for art and cultural displays. 展示会 is for commercial or industrial exhibitions. 博覧会 is for large-scale expos or world fairs. Use 展覧会 for museum visits, 展示会 for business events, and 博覧会 for international expos.
The loanword エキシビション exists but is mainly used in specific contexts like sports exhibitions or game exhibitions. It is not a general substitute for the English word.
2025年大阪・関西万博は大規模な博覧会です。
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is a large-scale exhibition.
毎年フランクフルトで国際的な見本市が開かれます。
An international trade fair is held in Frankfurt every year.