Translation guide
The English verb 'include' is used to indicate that something is part of a larger whole, or that someone or something is being added to a group or list. In Japanese, the most natural translation depends on whether you are talking about something being part of a set, adding something to a group, or mentioning something as an example. This guide covers the most common and useful Japanese expressions for these situations.
Expressing that something is included as a component or element of a larger entity, such as a price including tax, a list including items, or a group including members.
The most common and versatile verb for 'include'. It means 'to contain' or 'to include' as a part of something. Can be used for concrete and abstract things.
This price includes consumption tax.
My name is also included on that list.
Transitive verb meaning 'to include' or 'to add in'. Often used when someone deliberately includes something in a group or list. Slightly more active than 含む.
Please include me as a member.
Shipping is included in the fee.
A common pattern meaning 'is included'. Often used to describe what something contains, especially in written descriptions.
This product does not include harmful substances.
Actively putting someone or something into a set, such as including a person in a team, adding an item to a list, or counting someone in.
Literally 'to put in', this is the most natural verb for including someone in a group or adding an item to a collection. Very common in casual and spoken Japanese.
Please include me in the team.
Means 'to add' or 'to include'. Slightly more formal than 入れる. Often used when adding something to an existing set.
A casual pattern meaning 'including ~'. Often used when listing things or people, similar to 'counting ~ in'.
There are five people including me.
Including something as an example or item in a discussion, such as 'including A, B, and C' or 'including the following'.
A pattern meaning 'including ~'. Used to list items or people that are part of a larger group. Very common in both spoken and written Japanese.
Many countries participated, including Japan.
There are five things you need, including your passport.
Means 'such as' or 'and so on'. Used to give examples without listing everything. Implies inclusion of other similar items.
Please eat fruits, vegetables, and so on (including these).
Specifically for commercial contexts where a service or item is part of a deal, such as 'breakfast included' or 'tax included'.
A suffix meaning 'included'. Attached to nouns to indicate that something is included in the price or package. Very common in advertisements and signs.
It's 1000 yen including tax.
Means 'with ~' or 'attached'. Used for services or items that come with something, like 'with breakfast' or 'with a guide'.
A tour with a guide included
含む (fukumu) is more about something being inherently part of a whole, while 含める (fukumeru) is about actively including something. For example, 'The price includes tax' uses 含む because tax is a natural part of the price. 'Please include me in the list' uses 含める because someone is actively adding you.
In English, we often say 'including' when listing examples, but in Japanese, using 含めて every time can sound stiff. In casual conversation, ～とか or ～など might be more natural for giving examples.
Does the price include tax?
Please include me in the next meeting.
The tour includes lunch.
Include his name on this list.
新しいメンバーをチームに加えました。
We included a new member in the team.
A plan with breakfast included