Translation guide
The English word 'marathon' is used in Japanese as a loanword, but its usage differs from English. It primarily refers to the long-distance running race, but can also be used metaphorically for prolonged activities. This guide explains how to express the concept naturally in Japanese.
Referring to the 42.195 km race or similar long-distance running events.
The standard loanword for the running race. Used for official marathons and casual running events.
来月、東京マラソンに出ます。
I'm running the Tokyo Marathon next month.
彼は毎朝マラソンの練習をしている。
He practices for the marathon every morning.
Specifically refers to a full marathon (42.195 km), distinguishing it from half marathons or other distances.
初めてフルマラソンを完走した。
I completed a full marathon for the first time.
A more formal or technical term for long-distance running, not limited to the marathon distance. Used in sports contexts.
長距離走は持久力が重要だ。
Endurance is important in long-distance running.
Describing an event or task that takes a very long time and requires endurance, like a 'movie marathon' or 'study marathon'.
Used metaphorically, similar to English. Common in compounds like '映画マラソン' (movie marathon).
週末に映画マラソンをした。
I had a movie marathon over the weekend.
試験前に勉強マラソンをした。
I did a study marathon before the exam.
A general pattern meaning 'a long session of ~'. More natural than マラソン for some activities. Replace 〜 with the activity noun.
昨日は長時間の会議で疲れた。
I was exhausted from the marathon meeting yesterday.
Means 'to do ~ non-stop' or 'straight through'. Conveys the intensity of a marathon session. Casual.
昨日はぶっ通しでゲームをした。
I had a gaming marathon yesterday.
Referring to a difficult, prolonged effort or process, like a 'marathon, not a sprint'.
Literally 'like a marathon'. Used to describe a long, arduous process.
このプロジェクトはマラソンのようなものだ。
This project is like a marathon.
A native Japanese term meaning a long haul or long-drawn-out affair. Often used for events, meetings, or projects.
この交渉は長丁場になりそうだ。
These negotiations are going to be a marathon.
Literally 'endurance battle'. Used for prolonged competitions or struggles, like a war of attrition.
While マラソン can be used metaphorically, it's not as flexible as in English. For activities like 'shopping marathon' or 'cleaning marathon', Japanese speakers often prefer phrases like 長時間の買い物 or ぶっ通しで掃除. Using マラソン for everything can sound unnatural.
長時間の買い物で疲れた。
I'm tired from the shopping marathon.
マラソン is the common term for the race and metaphorical uses. 長距離走 is a technical sports term for long-distance running events in general, including track events like 5000m. Use マラソン unless you're specifically discussing track and field categories.
この裁判は持久戦になるだろう。
This trial will be a marathon.