Translation guide
The quality of being clear enough to read. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and verbs related to readability, clarity of handwriting or print, and ease of deciphering characters.
Describing how easy or difficult it is to read written characters, text, or handwriting.
The most direct equivalent for 'legibility' in the context of text, fonts, or printed materials. Often used in technical or design contexts.
This font has high legibility.
A common, everyday way to talk about how easy something is to read. More general than 可読性 and suitable for both handwriting and print.
This book has large print, which makes a difference in legibility.
Refers specifically to the legibility of individual characters or handwriting, often used when something is hard to decipher.
Doctors' handwriting is notorious for its poor legibility.
More about visibility and ease of recognition, often used for signs, displays, or UI elements. Overlaps with legibility but emphasizes visual clarity.
Reflective material was used to improve the legibility of the sign.
Specifically referring to how easy it is to read someone's handwriting.
A natural, common way to say that handwriting is legible. The opposite is 字が読みにくい.
I like borrowing his notes because his handwriting is legible.
The most common way to say handwriting is illegible or messy. Literally 'characters are dirty'.
Refers to skillful, often cursive handwriting that may be hard to read for some. Can imply both beautiful and illegible depending on context.
In contexts like web design, apps, or digital displays.
可読性 is a technical term used mainly in design, typography, and accessibility. 読みやすさ is the everyday word for readability and can be used in any context, including handwriting, books, and screens.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'legibility'. Translating it directly as 判読可能性 or similar will sound unnatural. Instead, choose the expression that fits the specific context.
The handwriting is so illegible I can't tell what it says.
祖父の手紙は達筆すぎて読めない。
My grandfather's letters are so skillfully written that they're illegible to me.
This website has good legibility and doesn't strain my eyes.