Translation guide
How to express 'phrase' in Japanese, covering set expressions, idioms, grammatical phrases, and ways to refer to wording or expressions.
A commonly used fixed combination of words, like an idiom or saying.
Standard term for idiomatic phrases or set expressions.
「猫の手も借りたい」は慣用句です。
"Neko no te mo karitai" is an idiomatic phrase.
Refers to established phrases or set expressions, often used in linguistic contexts.
この成句の意味を調べてください。
Please look up the meaning of this set phrase.
A clichéd or fixed phrase, often used in conversation or writing.
彼のスピーチは決まり文句ばかりだった。
His speech was full of clichéd phrases.
A group of words functioning as a unit in a sentence, like a noun phrase or verb phrase.
Linguistic term for a phrase or clause.
この文の名詞句を指摘してください。
Please point out the noun phrase in this sentence.
Loanword from English, commonly used for a phrase or expression in everyday language.
A particular way of saying something, often focusing on the choice of words.
Refers to a turn of phrase or way of expressing something.
もっと丁寧な言い回しに変えたほうがいい。
You should change it to a more polite phrasing.
General term for expression, can refer to a phrase or way of putting something.
A short musical passage or segment.
Technical term for a musical phrase.
この楽句をもう一度演奏してください。
Please play this musical phrase once more.
Also used in music contexts, same as the loanword above.
慣用句 is the most common term for idiomatic phrases. 成句 is more formal and often used in dictionaries or linguistic studies. 決まり文句 implies a clichéd or overused phrase.
「頭が上がらない」は慣用句です。
"Atama ga agaranai" is an idiomatic phrase.
この成句は古い文献によく出てきます。
This set phrase often appears in old literature.
彼の挨拶はいつも同じ決まり文句だ。
His greetings are always the same clichéd phrases.
フレーズ is a casual, everyday word for 'phrase' and is widely understood. It can be used for both linguistic and musical contexts, but in formal writing, 句 or 慣用句 may be preferred.
この英語のフレーズを日本語でどう言いますか？
How do you say this English phrase in Japanese?
このフレーズの意味は何ですか？
What does this phrase mean?
彼は変な言い回しを使った。
He used a strange phrase.
それはただの決まり文句だよ。
That's just a set phrase.
このフレーズを覚えておくと便利です。
It's useful to remember this phrase.
その表現は少し硬いですね。
That expression is a bit stiff.
このフレーズがこの曲の一番の聞かせどころです。
This phrase is the highlight of the song.