Translation guide
The art or process of applying a thin layer of gold to a surface. This guide covers how to express this concept in Japanese, from the general term to specific techniques and related expressions.
To refer to the overall practice of applying gold leaf or gold paint to objects.
The most common and general term for gilding, literally 'gold leaf pressing'. Used for crafts, art, and architectural decoration.
この仏像は金箔押しで仕上げられています。
This Buddha statue is finished with gilding.
Refers to gold plating, often by electroplating. Used for metal objects, jewelry, and industrial applications. More modern/technical than 金箔押し.
この時計のケースは金メッキです。
The case of this watch is gold-plated.
Specifically 'gold leaf pasting', emphasizing the manual application of gold leaf with adhesive. Often used in traditional crafts like lacquerware.
金箔貼りの技法を学んでいます。
I am learning the technique of gold leaf gilding.
Refers to gold decoration or painting, often on ceramics or porcelain. Implies a more artistic, painted gold design rather than full coverage.
この茶碗には美しい金彩が施されています。
This tea bowl has beautiful gold decoration.
To describe the gold coating itself, as a noun.
Gold leaf; the material itself. Can also refer to the gilded surface when context is clear.
金箔が剥がれてしまった。
The gilding has peeled off.
Gold plating layer, specifically for electroplated surfaces.
金メッキ層の厚さを測定する。
Measure the thickness of the gold plating layer.
To express the action of applying gold.
The standard verb phrase for gilding with gold leaf. Literally 'to press gold leaf'.
職人が仏壇に金箔を押している。
The craftsman is gilding the Buddhist altar.
To paste gold leaf, emphasizing the adhesive process.
屏風に金箔を貼る作業はとても繊細だ。
The work of gilding a folding screen with gold leaf is very delicate.
To gold-plate, usually by electroplating.
この部品に金メッキをする必要がある。
This part needs to be gold-plated.
To express the idea of making something seem better than it is, often with a negative connotation.
A general phrase meaning 'superficial decoration' or 'veneer'. Not a direct translation of 'gilding' but captures the figurative sense.
彼の親切は見せかけの飾りに過ぎない。
His kindness is mere gilding.
Literally 'to decorate the surface', implying superficial beautification.
彼はいつも上辺を飾るようなことばかり言う。
He always says things that are just gilding the lily.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to add prestige' or 'to give a touch of class', derived from the idea of applying gold leaf. Can be used positively or ironically.
有名大学の学位が彼の経歴に箔を付けている。
The degree from a famous university gilds his resume.
金箔押し (gold leaf gilding) is the traditional craft method using thin sheets of gold, common in art and temples. 金メッキ (gold plating) is an industrial process using electricity or chemicals, typical for metal goods. Use 金箔押し for handcrafted items and 金メッキ for manufactured products.
The English idiom 'to gild the lily' (to over-embellish) does not have a direct Japanese equivalent using gold-related words. Instead, use phrases like 余計なことをする (to do something unnecessary) or 蛇足 (redundancy). The phrase 箔を付ける is about adding prestige, not overdoing it.