Translation guide
The act of broadcasting video and audio in real time over the internet. This guide covers how to talk about live streaming in Japanese, including the activity itself, the broadcast, and related actions.
Referring to the general concept or act of live streaming.
The most common and natural term for live streaming. It combines 'live' and 'distribution/broadcast'. Used for platforms like YouTube, Twitch, etc.
今夜、ライブ配信をします。
I'll do a live stream tonight.
彼は毎日ゲームのライブ配信をしている。
He live streams games every day.
Literally 'raw broadcast', emphasizing the live, unedited nature. Slightly more casual or emphatic than ライブ配信.
生配信だから、ミスは消せないよ。
It's a live stream, so you can't erase mistakes.
Direct loanword from English. Understood, but less common than ライブ配信. Often used in technical contexts.
ライブストリーミングの技術が進歩している。
Live streaming technology is advancing.
Referring to a specific live broadcast or stream.
Same term as the activity, but used to refer to the stream itself. Context makes it clear.
昨日のライブ配信、見た？
Did you watch yesterday's live stream?
Short for 'live stream'. Very casual, used among gamers and online communities. Can be ambiguous with live music performances.
今からライブやるよ！
I'm gonna start a live stream now!
The action of broadcasting live.
The standard verb phrase. する means 'to do', so literally 'to do live streaming'.
週末にライブ配信をする予定です。
I plan to live stream on the weekend.
Verb phrase using 生配信. Slightly more casual.
今から生配信をするね。
I'm going to live stream now.
Shortened verb meaning 'to stream' or 'to broadcast'. Often used when context makes 'live' clear. Can also mean on-demand streaming.
Without ライブ or 生, it may not explicitly mean 'live'. Use context or add ライブ for clarity.
毎晩、ゲームを配信している。
I stream games every night.
Referring to the platform or service used for live streaming.
Generic term for live streaming service.
新しいライブ配信サービスが登場した。
A new live streaming service has launched.
More technical term, 'live streaming platform'.
どのライブ配信プラットフォームを使っていますか？
Which live streaming platform do you use?
ライブ配信 is the most common and neutral term for internet live streaming. 生配信 emphasizes the 'raw' live aspect and is slightly more casual. 生放送 is often used for traditional TV/radio live broadcasts but can apply to internet streams, carrying a more formal tone.
YouTubeでライブ配信を見る。
Watch a live stream on YouTube.
生配信ならではのハプニングが面白い。
The unexpected happenings unique to live streaming are interesting.
テレビの生放送に出演する。
Appear on a live TV broadcast.
In many online contexts, simply saying 配信する is enough to mean 'live stream' if the situation is clear. However, to avoid ambiguity with on-demand streaming, add ライブ or 生 when needed.
昨日、彼女のライブ配信を見ました。
I watched her live stream yesterday.
彼は今、ライブ配信をしています。
He is live streaming right now.
ライブ配信はとても人気になっています。
Live streaming has become very popular.
Literally 'live broadcast'. Often used for TV-style live broadcasts, but also applies to internet streams. Slightly more formal.
その生放送は多くの視聴者を集めた。
That live broadcast attracted many viewers.