Translation guide
How to express the idea of indenting text, paragraphs, or lines in Japanese, covering both the action and the resulting indentation.
Describing the action of setting a line or paragraph in from the margin, as in word processing or writing.
The most common and general verb for indenting text. Literally 'to lower the character'.
段落の最初の行を字下げしてください。
Please indent the first line of the paragraph.
Loanword from English, commonly used in IT and programming contexts.
コードをインデントする
indent the code
A more formal or written expression meaning 'to perform indentation'.
この文書では、字下げを行ってください。
Please indent in this document.
Referring to the blank space left at the beginning of a line or paragraph.
The standard noun for indentation in text.
字下げの幅を調整する
adjust the width of the indentation
Loanword used as a noun, especially in technical fields.
Creating a recess or depression in a surface, like indenting metal or paper.
Transitive verb meaning to dent or make a hollow. Used for physical objects.
車のドアをへこませた。
I dented the car door.
Similar to へこませる, but often implies a smaller or more deliberate indentation.
指で紙をくぼませる。
Indent the paper with your finger.
Giving an instruction to indent, often in software or typing.
Common phrase meaning 'to set indentation', used in software settings.
字下げを設定するには、このボタンを押してください。
To set the indentation, press this button.
字下げ is the native Japanese term and is widely understood in general writing. インデント is a loanword and is very common in programming and IT contexts. Both are acceptable, but 字下げ may be preferred in formal or traditional writing settings.
When talking about indenting text, do not use physical denting verbs like へこませる. Use 字下げする or インデントする. Conversely, for physical dents, 字下げ is not used.
align the indentation