Translation guide
A nose ring is a piece of jewelry worn through a piercing in the nose. In Japanese, the most common term is ノーズリング (nōzu ringu), a loanword from English. There are also traditional Japanese terms for specific types of nose rings, but these are less common in everyday conversation.
The learner wants to refer to a nose ring as a fashion accessory or body jewelry.
The most common and widely understood term for a nose ring, borrowed from English. Used in fashion and everyday conversation.
彼女は新しいノーズリングをつけている。
She is wearing a new nose ring.
ノーズリングを買いたいんですけど、どこで売っていますか？
I want to buy a nose ring; where are they sold?
The word 鼻輪 (はなわ) primarily refers to animal nose rings or traditional cultural nose rings. Using it for a modern fashion accessory can cause confusion or unintended humor.
鼻輪をしている人を見た。
I saw a person wearing a nose ring. (This might sound like they are wearing an animal ring.)
Literally 'nose piercing', this term is also common and refers to the jewelry itself. It is slightly more casual than ノーズリング.
鼻ピアスを開けた。
I got my nose pierced.
その鼻ピアス、かわいいね。
That nose ring is cute.
Literally 'nose ring', but this term often refers to rings used for animals (like cattle) or traditional nose rings in some cultures. It can sound rustic or old-fashioned when used for fashion jewelry.
Using 鼻輪 for a modern fashion nose ring may sound odd or humorous. Stick to ノーズリング or 鼻ピアス unless referring to traditional or animal nose rings.
牛に鼻輪をつける。
Put a nose ring on a cow.