Translation guide
The representation of a thing or abstraction as a person. In Japanese, this is often expressed with specific terms for rhetorical personification, or by using verbs and adjectives normally reserved for people.
The literary or artistic technique of giving human traits to non-human things.
The standard term for personification as a rhetorical figure. Used in literary analysis and writing.
Personification is used effectively in this poem.
Often used for personification in a broader sense, including in media and character design. Can also mean 'anthropomorphism'.
Personification of animals is often seen in anime.
A rare, technical term for personification in rhetoric. Mainly found in academic contexts.
Personification is one of the terms in rhetoric.
A person who perfectly represents a particular quality or idea.
Means 'the embodiment of ~'. Used for both positive and negative traits. Often carries a slightly formal or literary tone.
He is the personification of kindness.
Literally 'incarnation of ~'. Stronger and more dramatic than 権化. Often used in fantasy or metaphorical contexts.
Means '~ itself'. A very common and natural way to say someone or something is the very essence of a quality.
His behavior is the personification of sincerity.
擬人法 is strictly a rhetorical term for personification in language. 擬人化 is broader and includes visual or conceptual personification, like turning animals into human-like characters. In everyday talk about giving human traits to things, 擬人化 is more common.
In casual description, you can simply say something is 'like a person' using 〜のようだ or 〜みたいだ. This is not a fixed term but conveys personification naturally.
The wind speaks to me like a person.
She is like the personification of beauty.