Translation guide
A motto is a short phrase that expresses a guiding principle or belief. In Japanese, this can be expressed with words like 座右の銘, 標語, or モットー, depending on whether it's a personal life principle, a slogan, or a borrowed English term.
What's your motto?
Most natural for personal guiding principles.
A short phrase or sentence that someone lives by, often kept in mind as a personal rule.
Literally 'inscription at one's side,' this is the most natural way to refer to a personal motto or maxim that guides one's life.
My motto is 'perseverance is power.'
A loanword from English, commonly used for personal mottos, but can sound slightly casual or modern.
Refers to one's creed or belief system, often used in more formal or philosophical contexts.
A short phrase used by a company, school, or group to express its mission or values.
Commonly used for slogans, especially in schools, companies, or public campaigns.
This school's motto is 'Be cheerful, honest, and friendly.'
A loanword often used for advertising or campaign slogans, slightly more commercial in feel.
Also used for organizational mottos, especially when the group wants a modern or international image.
A phrase inscribed on a coat of arms or emblem, often in Latin or an archaic language.
Used for inscriptions on monuments, crests, or emblems. Often part of a compound like 家紋の銘.
The motto on that family crest is 'Loyalty.'
座右の銘 is specifically a personal life motto, often a classical saying. モットー is a flexible loanword for both personal and organizational mottos. 標語 is a slogan, often used in educational or public contexts.
While モットー is understood, 座右の銘 is more idiomatic for personal mottos. Using モットー for a traditional Japanese context may sound out of place.
My motto is 'live and let live.'
A natural translation of a common English motto.
彼のモットーは「楽しむこと」だ。
His motto is 'to have fun.'
正直であることが彼の信条だ。
Honesty is his creed.
That company's slogan is 'Creating the future.'
我が社のモットーは「顧客第一」です。
Our company motto is 'Customer first.'