Translation guide
The English phrase 'full house' has several distinct meanings: a poker hand, a sold-out event, and a crowded place. This guide covers how to express each in natural Japanese.
Referring to the poker hand consisting of three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.
The standard loanword used in poker contexts. Widely understood among Japanese poker players.
彼はフルハウスで勝った。
He won with a full house.
Describing a performance, game, or show for which all tickets have been sold.
A traditional phrase meaning 'sold out, thank you'. Often seen on signs at venues. Conveys a sense of gratitude to the audience.
公演は満員御礼となりました。
The performance is now sold out.
Literally 'all seats full'. A straightforward way to say sold out for seated events.
その映画は満席だった。
The movie was sold out.
Means 'sold out' in general, used for tickets, goods, etc. Not specific to events but commonly used for ticket sales.
Literally 'even standing room appears'. Used when an event is so full that people are standing. Implies a packed house.
人気の公演で立ち見も出た。
The popular performance had standing room only.
Describing a venue, room, or space that is completely filled with people.
Means 'full house' or 'packed' in the sense of a venue being filled to capacity. Commonly used for trains, theaters, etc.
会場は満員だった。
The venue was packed.
Emphasizes that it is more than full, overflowing with people.
Literally 'packed like sushi'. Vividly describes a tightly packed crowd, often used for trains or small spaces.
Onomatopoeic word for being tightly packed. Casual and expressive.
The loanword フルハウス is only used for the poker hand. Using it to mean a sold-out event or crowded place will cause confusion. Use 満員御礼, 満席, or 満員 instead.
チケットは完売しました。
The tickets are sold out.
電車は超満員で乗れなかった。
The train was so packed I couldn't get on.
通勤電車はすし詰め状態だ。
The commuter train is jam-packed.
会場はぎゅうぎゅうだった。
The venue was crammed full.