Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a prefix is expressed through various linguistic elements that attach to the beginning of words to modify meaning, show politeness, or form compounds. Unlike English, Japanese uses honorific prefixes, Sino-Japanese prefixes, and native prefixes, each with specific usage rules.
To make a word polite, respectful, or elegant by adding an honorific prefix, commonly used in formal or polite speech.
The most common honorific prefix, used with native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and some Sino-Japanese words. It adds politeness or respect, often used in everyday polite speech. It is written in hiragana as お.
お茶をどうぞ。
Please have some tea.
What is your name?
The honorific prefix used primarily with Sino-Japanese words (on'yomi). It conveys respect and formality, similar to お but for words of Chinese origin.
Please share your opinion.
How is your family?
The kanji form of お/ご, used in very formal written contexts such as official documents or traditional letters. It is read as お or ご depending on the word.
I express my gratitude.
To indicate that something is previous, former, or ex-, often used with positions, titles, or states.
Attached to nouns to mean 'previous' or 'former', commonly used with titles and positions. Read as ぜん.
The former president came.
It was decided at the previous meeting.
Means 'former' or 'ex-', often used for people who previously held a position or status. Read as もと.
Means 'old' or 'former', used for things that have been replaced or are from a previous era, like systems, names, or buildings. Read as きゅう.
To express the idea of 'all', 'whole', or 'entire', often used with nouns indicating groups or collections.
Attached to nouns to mean 'all' or 'whole', as in 'all members' or 'whole country'. Read as ぜん.
All members agreed.
It is known nationwide.
Means 'total' or 'general', used in words like 'total amount' or 'general meeting'. Read as そう.
What is the total amount?
To indicate repetition or doing something again, similar to the English prefix 're-'.
Attached to verbs (often in their noun form) to mean 're-' or 'again'. Read as さい.
Please reconfirm.
Reuse is recommended.
To express partial or incomplete state, similar to 'semi-', 'half-', or 'sub-'.
Means 'half' or 'semi-', used in words like 'semicircle' or 'half price'. Read as はん.
Please draw a semicircle.
They are having a half-price sale.
Means 'semi-', 'quasi-', or 'associate', used for things that are not full status, like 'semi-final' or 'associate member'. Read as じゅん.
To express opposition or being against something.
Means 'anti-' or 'opposite', used in words like 'anti-war' or 'opposite effect'. Read as はん.
He expressed an opposing opinion.
I participated in the anti-war movement.
To negate or indicate absence of something.
Means 'non-', 'un-', or 'not', used to form negative nouns. Read as ひ.
Another negative prefix meaning 'un-', 'in-', or 'not', often used with Sino-Japanese adjectives and nouns. Read as ふ or ぶ.
Means 'without', 'no', or '-less', used to indicate absence. Read as む.
To express an extreme degree or surpassing quality.
Means 'super-', 'ultra-', or 'hyper-', used colloquially and in technical terms. Read as ちょう.
It's a super convenient app.
I had an ultrasound examination.
While お and ご are common, not all words take them naturally. Some words have become fixed with the prefix (e.g., お茶), while others sound odd if you add them. When in doubt, listen to native usage or check a dictionary.
beer (with incorrect honorific)
前 (ぜん) is used for immediate predecessors in a sequence (e.g., 前社長 the previous president). 元 (もと) implies a former status that may be long past (e.g., 元大統領 former president). 旧 (きゅう) is used for old systems, names, or things that have been replaced (e.g., 旧姓 maiden name).
Many Japanese prefixes are single kanji that attach directly to other kanji to form compound words (e.g., 全国, 再確認). Learning common prefix kanji will greatly expand your vocabulary.
The former prime minister gave a lecture.
The old system was abolished.
They advanced to the semifinals.
It's in an inconvenient location.
You can use it for free (without charge).
It was a meaningless discussion.