Translation guide
The English word "flag" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a piece of cloth as a symbol, to mark or highlight something for attention, to lose energy or enthusiasm, and a flagstone. It also touches on specialized uses like a flag in computing or a plant.
A piece of cloth with a design, used as a symbol of a country, organization, or to give a signal.
The most common and general word for a flag. Used for national flags, signal flags, and decorative flags.
The Japanese flag is a red circle on a white background.
They waved flags and cheered.
Specifically a national flag. Use this when you want to be clear you're talking about a country's flag.
At the Olympics, the national flags of each country are displayed.
A long, narrow banner or streamer, often used in traditional Japanese festivals or outside shops for advertising. Not a general flag.
There is a banner standing in front of the shop.
To draw attention to something, often as a warning or reminder, or to mark something for special treatment.
A loanword phrase used in IT and gaming contexts to mean setting a flag (a marker or indicator). Also used metaphorically in everyday speech to mean triggering a certain situation or foreshadowing an event.
That remark raised a death flag (foreshadowed a character's death).
Set an error flag in the system.
A general phrase meaning to mark or put a mark on something. Can be used for physically marking an item or highlighting text.
Please mark the important parts.
To call attention to something, to alert. More formal and often used in warnings or official contexts.
A landmark or marker used as a guide. Can be a physical object or a visual cue.
To become tired, weak, or less enthusiastic.
To decline in strength, energy, or vigor. Can be used for physical strength, enthusiasm, or momentum.
My concentration flagged in the afternoon.
To become dull, slack, or lose intensity. Often used for conversations, performances, or moods.
To lose momentum or steam. A common phrase for when something slows down or loses its initial energy.
The sports day flagged in the afternoon.
A flat stone used for paving.
A variable or indicator in programming that signals a condition.
The standard loanword for a flag in computing and programming contexts.
Please check if this flag is set.
A type of plant, such as an iris or sweet flag.
Sweet flag (Acorus calamus), often associated with the Japanese Boys' Festival. Not a general term for all flag plants.
On Children's Day, we take a bath with sweet flag leaves.
The loanword for iris, which is sometimes called a flag in English. Use this for the flower.
The phrasal verb 'flag down' (e.g., a taxi) does not use 旗. Use 手を上げて止める (stop by raising your hand) or 呼び止める (call out to stop).
I flagged down a taxi.
旗 (hata) is a general flag, usually rectangular and attached to a pole. 幟 (nobori) is a long, narrow banner, often with a sleeve for a pole, used in festivals or as shop signs. Don't use 幟 for national flags.
The flag was fluttering in the wind.
The referee raised a flag.
My energy flagged after lunch.
We need to flag this issue.
あの大きな木を目印にしてください。
Use that big tree as a flag (landmark).
The meeting started to flag.
石板で小道を作った。
We made a path with flagstones.
庭にアイリスが咲いている。
Irises are blooming in the garden.