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.
Capitalism is one type of economic system.
He supports socialism.
Used for religious doctrines or teachings, such as Buddhism or Christianity. Attaches to the name of the religion or founder.
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.
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.
Darwin's theory of evolution is the foundation of biology.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Absenteeism is a problem.
Expressing a linguistic feature, style, or mannerism, such as archaism, euphemism, or witticism.
Expressing a medical condition, often due to poisoning or a specific pathological state, such as alcoholism or botulism.
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.
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.
His way of thinking is very realistic.
Capitalism and socialism are opposing ideologies.
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.
His absenteeism is affecting the team.
Marx's Das Kapital (theory of capital) influenced economics.
Recently, the tendency toward mammonism (money-worship) has been growing.