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.
This bottle has a label on it.
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.
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.
Please attach a tag to your luggage.
Used for tags on clothing or digital tags. Similar to English 'tag'.
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'.
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).
I labeled the files and organized them.
A general pattern meaning 'to call something ~'. Used to assign a name or label.
To classify or categorize. Used when label means assigning to a category.
ラベル is neutral and used for physical labels. レッテル is almost always negative when applied to people, implying a fixed, often unfair, judgment. Avoid using レッテル for neutral descriptions.
to put on a label (physical)
to label someone (negatively)
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?
Used for labeling people or things in a judgmental or stereotypical way. Often negative.
It's not good to label people right away.
We label this period the Renaissance.
We need to label this data.