Translation guide
The suffix '-ism' in English forms nouns denoting a system, theory, practice, or characteristic. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the suffix 主義 (しゅぎ) for doctrines and ideologies, or 説 (せつ) for theories and hypotheses. Other suffixes and expressions exist for specific contexts.
Expressing a political, philosophical, or social doctrine or ideology, such as capitalism, Buddhism, or feminism.
The most common and productive suffix for '-ism' in the sense of a doctrine, ideology, or principle. Attaches to nouns, often of Sino-Japanese origin.
資本主義は経済システムの一つです。
Capitalism is one type of economic system.
彼は社会主義を支持している。
He supports socialism.
Used for religious doctrines or teachings, such as Buddhism or Christianity. Attaches to the name of the religion or founder.
仏教は日本で広く信仰されている。
Buddhism is widely practiced in Japan.
Used for traditional Japanese arts, disciplines, or 'ways', such as judo or kendo. Implies a path of study and self-improvement.
柔道はオリンピック競技です。
Judo is an Olympic sport.
Expressing a scientific theory, hypothesis, or academic doctrine, such as Darwinism or the theory of relativity.
The standard suffix for theories, hypotheses, and academic doctrines. Attaches to nouns, often proper names or descriptive terms.
ダーウィンの進化説は生物学の基礎です。
Darwin's theory of evolution is the foundation of biology.
相対性理論はアインシュタインの説です。
The theory of relativity is Einstein's theory.
Used for broader theoretical frameworks, discourses, or treatises, often implying a systematic argument or body of thought.
マルクスの資本論は経済学に影響を与えた。
Marx's Das Kapital (theory of capital) influenced economics.
Expressing a distinctive practice, characteristic, or tendency, often in a critical or descriptive sense, such as commercialism or absenteeism.
Also used for tendencies or principles, especially when they can be framed as an ideology or conscious stance.
彼の行動は快楽主義だ。
His behavior is hedonism.
Means 'tendency' or 'inclination' and can be used to describe an '-ism' as a general leaning rather than a formal doctrine.
最近、拝金主義の傾向が強まっている。
Recently, the tendency toward mammonism (money-worship) has been growing.
When no direct suffix is natural, describe the characteristic using a phrase like 〜的な考え方 (way of thinking) or 〜の状態 (state of).
欠席が多いのは問題だ。
Absenteeism is a problem.
Expressing a linguistic feature, style, or mannerism, such as archaism, euphemism, or witticism.
Used for linguistic usage or style, such as colloquialism or archaism. Attaches to descriptive nouns.
この詩には古語法が使われている。
This poem uses archaisms.
Means 'expression characteristic of' and can be used for stylistic features like euphemism or witticism.
それは婉曲的表現だ。
That's a euphemism.
Expressing a medical condition, often due to poisoning or a specific pathological state, such as alcoholism or botulism.
Used for poisoning or addiction, such as alcoholism or narcotism. Attaches to the substance.
彼はアルコール中毒で治療を受けた。
He was treated for alcoholism.
General suffix for medical conditions or syndromes, such as botulism or rheumatism.
ボツリヌス症は稀な病気です。
Botulism is a rare disease.
主義 (しゅぎ) is for ideologies, principles, and doctrines (e.g., capitalism, pacifism). 説 (せつ) is for theories, hypotheses, and academic doctrines (e.g., theory of evolution, heliocentric theory). Using the wrong one can change the meaning significantly.
Many English '-ism' words have established Japanese equivalents (e.g., 共産主義 for communism), but newly coined or informal '-isms' may require descriptive phrases. Avoid forcing 主義 onto words where it sounds unnatural.
あの人の言動は、いわゆる「意識高い系」だね。
That person's behavior is what you'd call 'woke-ism'.
The suffix 的 (てき) can be added to many '-ism' nouns to form adjectives meaning '-istic' or '-istical'. For example, 現実主義 (realism) → 現実主義的 (realistic). This is very productive.
彼の考え方はとても現実主義的だ。
His way of thinking is very realistic.
資本主義と社会主義は対立するイデオロギーです。
Capitalism and socialism are opposing ideologies.
ダーウィニズム（進化論）は自然の理解を変えた。
Darwinism changed the way we understand nature.
ダーウィニズム is a direct loan, but 進化論 is more common.
彼の欠席が多くて、チームに影響が出ている。
His absenteeism is affecting the team.