Translation guide
The English word "magazine" most commonly refers to a periodical publication. In Japanese, the direct equivalent is 雑誌 (zasshi), but there are also specific terms for different types of magazines, as well as related words for other meanings like a firearm magazine or a TV/radio program format.
A regularly issued publication containing articles, photographs, and advertisements.
The general term for 'magazine' in Japanese. It covers most types of magazines, from weekly to monthly, and across various topics.
この雑誌は毎週月曜日に発売されます。
This magazine is released every Monday.
彼女はファッション雑誌を読むのが好きです。
She likes reading fashion magazines.
A loanword from English, often used in the names of specific magazines or in compound words. It can sound slightly more modern or trendy.
このマガジンは若者に人気があります。
This magazine is popular among young people.
Specifically a weekly magazine. Often used for news or entertainment magazines published once a week.
週刊誌でそのスキャンダルを読みました。
I read about that scandal in a weekly magazine.
A monthly magazine. Used for publications that come out once a month.
この月刊誌には特集記事がたくさんあります。
This monthly magazine has many feature articles.
A quarterly magazine. Less common, but used for publications issued four times a year.
その季刊誌は学術的な内容です。
That quarterly magazine has academic content.
A container holding cartridges to be fed into the chamber of a firearm.
The technical term for a firearm magazine. Used in formal or technical contexts.
彼は弾倉を交換した。
He changed the magazine.
Also used for firearm magazines, especially in informal or spoken contexts, or in airsoft/gaming communities.
A television or radio program consisting of a variety of segments, such as news, interviews, and entertainment.
Literally 'information program', this is the closest equivalent to a magazine-format show, often featuring a mix of news, lifestyle, and entertainment segments.
朝の情報番組で天気予報を見ました。
I saw the weather forecast on the morning magazine show.
A type of daytime TV program that mixes news, gossip, and human-interest stories, similar to a tabloid magazine format.
A container holding a number of similar items, such as photographic slides or compact discs.
Used in technical contexts for a storage device that holds multiple items, like a slide magazine for a projector or a CD magazine.
スライドマガジンにフィルムをセットしてください。
Please load the film into the slide magazine.
雑誌 (zasshi) is the standard, neutral term for a magazine. マガジン (magajin) is a loanword that often appears in proper names (e.g., 週刊少年マガジン) or to give a modern, trendy feel. In everyday conversation, 雑誌 is more common.
To be more specific, you can combine the frequency with 誌 (shi): 週刊誌 (weekly magazine), 月刊誌 (monthly magazine), 季刊誌 (quarterly magazine). For content type, use noun + 雑誌, e.g., ファッション雑誌 (fashion magazine), 科学雑誌 (science magazine).
コンビニで雑誌を買いました。
I bought a magazine at the convenience store.
何か雑誌を定期購読していますか？
Do you subscribe to any magazines?
エアガンのマガジンが空になった。
The airsoft gun's magazine is empty.
ワイドショーで芸能人のゴシップをやっていた。
The magazine show was covering celebrity gossip.