Translation guide
The English word "grave" has two main meanings: a burial place and a serious or solemn quality. This guide covers both, with Japanese equivalents for each sense.
A place where a dead body is buried, typically marked by a stone or mound.
Describing a situation, expression, or tone that is very serious, solemn, or causing worry.
Used for serious matters, problems, or decisions. Often implies importance and potential consequences.
墓 (はか) is a grave or tomb, while 墓場 (はかば) is a graveyard. Use 墓 for an individual burial site.
重大な (じゅうだいな) emphasizes importance and potential impact, while 深刻な (しんこくな) emphasizes severity and depth of a problem. 重大な決定 (grave decision) vs 深刻な問題 (grave problem).
He made a grave mistake.
He placed flowers on his father's grave.
Polite form of 墓, often used in everyday conversation.
I'm going to visit the family grave.
Refers to a graveyard or cemetery as a whole, rather than an individual grave.
That graveyard is quiet and beautiful.
Literally 'grave hole', used in the idiom 墓穴を掘る (to dig one's own grave).
He dug his own grave.
This is a grave problem.
Emphasizes severity or depth of a situation, often with a negative connotation.
The situation is grave.
Describes a solemn, dignified atmosphere or expression, often in formal ceremonies.
He had a grave expression.
Conveys a heavy, solemn, or dignified atmosphere, often used for tone or manner.
He spoke in a grave tone.
Formal and written, meaning 'worrisome' or 'grave' in the sense of causing concern.
It is a grave situation.
The doctor's expression was grave.