Translation guide
The English word "merger" refers to the combination of two or more entities into one, most commonly in business. This guide covers how to express this concept in Japanese, from formal corporate terms to casual expressions.
To refer to the legal or formal combination of two companies into a single entity.
The standard term for a corporate merger. Used in formal and business contexts.
両社は来月合併する予定です。
The two companies are scheduled to merge next month.
合併契約が締結されました。
The merger agreement has been signed.
Often used for integration or consolidation, including mergers. Can imply a broader unification of operations or systems.
経営統合により新会社が誕生した。
A new company was born through the business integration.
Explicitly means 'corporate merger'. Used when you need to specify that it's a merger of companies.
企業合併のニュースが大きく報道された。
The news of the corporate merger was widely reported.
The loanword 'M&A' (mergers and acquisitions) is commonly used in Japanese business contexts, often pronounced as 'emu ando ee'.
当社はM&Aを積極的に進めています。
Our company is actively pursuing M&A.
To describe the combining of non-corporate entities such as government agencies, university departments, or teams.
The most common term for merging organizations, departments, or systems. It emphasizes integration into a unified whole.
二つの学部が統合されて新しい学部ができた。
Two departments were merged to create a new department.
市町村統合が進んでいる。
Municipal mergers are progressing.
Also used for non-corporate mergers, especially when two entities legally become one, like municipalities or schools.
To express the blending or fusion of concepts, styles, or cultural elements.
Means 'fusion' or 'blending'. Used when different elements combine to form something new, often in cultural or artistic contexts.
伝統と現代の融合がこの建築の特徴です。
The fusion of tradition and modernity is the characteristic of this architecture.
Literally 'combine bodies'. Often used in a more physical or mechanical sense, but can be used metaphorically for merging things.
To describe the action of vehicles entering a main road or lane from a side road or ramp.
The standard term for merging in traffic. It means 'joining a flow'.
高速道路に合流するときは注意してください。
Please be careful when merging onto the highway.
The verb form. Used in driving instructions or descriptions.
あの車が無理に合流してきた。
That car merged recklessly.
合併 (gappei) is specifically a legal merger where two entities become one new entity, often used for companies and municipalities. 統合 (tougou) is broader, meaning integration or consolidation, and can refer to systems, departments, or abstract concepts. In business, 統合 can imply a merger but often focuses on operational integration rather than the legal act.
For vehicles merging into traffic, always use 合流 (gouryuu), not 合併. 合併 would sound like two cars physically combining into one, which is incorrect.
二つの銀行の合併により、国内最大の金融グループが誕生した。
The merger between the two banks created the largest financial group in the country.
高速道路に合流する際は注意してください。
Be careful when merging onto the expressway.
町村合併で新しい市が誕生した。
A new city was born from the merger of towns and villages.
二つのロボットが合体して巨大ロボになる。
The two robots merge to become a giant robot.