Translation guide
The English word "label" can refer to a physical tag, a descriptive category, or the act of attaching or assigning one. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
A piece of paper, plastic, or other material attached to an object to identify it or provide information.
The most common and direct equivalent for a physical label, especially on products, packages, or files. A loanword from English.
この瓶にはラベルが貼ってあります。
This bottle has a label on it.
ラベルに成分が書いてある。
The ingredients are written on the label.
Refers to a sticker or seal, often decorative or used for sealing. Can be used for labels that are stickers.
ノートにシールを貼った。
I put a sticker on my notebook.
A traditional tag or label, often made of paper or wood, attached to items like luggage, plants, or in shops. Can also mean a price tag.
荷物に札をつけてください。
Please attach a tag to your luggage.
Used for tags on clothing or digital tags. Similar to English 'tag'.
服のタグを切った。
I cut off the tag on the clothes.
A word or phrase used to describe or classify someone or something, often in a social or professional context.
Often used for a negative or stereotypical label applied to a person or group. Can be translated as 'stigma' or 'brand'.
彼は変わり者というレッテルを貼られた。
He was labeled as an oddball.
A name or term used to refer to something. More neutral than レッテル.
Means 'classification' or 'category'. Used when label refers to a systematic grouping.
The action of putting a physical label on something, or assigning a descriptive category to someone or something.
The standard way to say 'to label' in the physical sense. Uses the verb 貼る (to stick).
ファイルにラベルを貼って整理した。
I labeled the files and organized them.
Used for labeling people or things in a judgmental or stereotypical way. Often negative.
すぐに人にレッテルを貼るのはよくない。
It's not good to label people right away.
A general pattern meaning 'to call something ~'. Used to assign a name or label.
この時代をルネサンスと呼ぶ。
We label this period the Renaissance.
To classify or categorize. Used when label means assigning to a category.
これらのデータを分類する必要がある。
We need to label this data.
この現象にはまだ正式な呼び名がない。
There is no official label for this phenomenon yet.
この作品はどの分類に入りますか？
What label does this work fall under?