Translation guide
The English word "figure" has several distinct meanings. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended meaning.
Referring to a numerical value, statistic, or quantity.
The most common and general word for a numerical figure, digit, or number.
What does this figure represent?
Please check the sales figures.
Often used in technical or statistical contexts for a numerical value or data point.
Specifically refers to an amount of money. Use only for financial figures.
Referring to the shape or form of a person's body, especially in terms of attractiveness or physique.
Referring to a drawing, diagram, or geometric shape in a book or document.
Referring to a well-known or important person.
A general term for a person, often used for a figure in history, politics, or a story.
Used as a verb meaning to think, consider, or come to a conclusion.
The most common verb for 'to think'. Can be used in many contexts where 'figure' means to suppose or reckon.
Used as a verb meaning to appear in a story, list, or event.
Means 'to appear' or 'to make an appearance', often used for characters in a story or people at an event.
Referring to a rhetorical device or expression.
The general term for a figure of speech, metaphor, or simile.
The English word 'figure' can be a noun or verb with many meanings. Do not assume a single Japanese word covers all uses. Always identify the specific meaning first.
This usually means a figurine or action figure, not a diagram or number.
数字 (suuji) is the general word for a numerical figure. 数値 (suuchi) is more technical, used for data points. 額 (gaku) is specifically an amount of money.
体型 (taikei) is the neutral word for body shape. スタイル (sutairu) is a loanword often used to praise someone's figure, but it does not mean 'fashion style'.
Is this figure accurate?
That figure exceeds the budget.
Refers to body shape or figure, often used when talking about physique or body type.
She has a slim figure.
I exercise to maintain my figure.
A loanword from English, often used to describe a person's figure, especially in terms of fashion and attractiveness. Note: it does not mean 'style' in the sense of fashion sense.
Does not mean 'style' as in fashion sense. Use センス or ファッション for that.
She has a good figure.
Refers to one's appearance or figure, often used in more literary or formal contexts, or when talking about seeing someone's figure from a distance.
I saw his figure.
Please refer to Figure 1.
This figure shows the structure of the system.
Refers to a geometric figure or shape.
Find the area of this figure.
Refers to an illustration, often artistic rather than technical. Use for figures in a more casual or decorative context.
This figure is for children.
He is an important historical figure.
Specifically means a famous person or celebrity. Use when 'figure' implies fame.
He is a public figure often seen on TV.
A big shot or important figure, often in politics, business, or crime. Has a nuance of power and influence.
He is a big figure in the political world.
I figure he won't come.
I figure it'll be okay.
Means 'to think' or 'to consider', often implying a more deliberate thought process than 思う.
Come to figure it, he's right.
A pattern meaning 'I figure that...' or 'I guess that...'. Adds a nuance of speculation.
I figure it will rain tomorrow.
He figures in the novel.
Means 'to be listed' or 'to appear' in a publication, list, or record.
His name figures on the list.
それは単なる比喩です。
That's just a figure of speech.
Refers to rhetoric or a rhetorical figure. More technical and less common in everyday speech.
This poem uses many figures of speech.