Translation guide
The practice of managing communication between an organization and the public. In Japanese, the English loanword PR is most common, but native terms exist for formal contexts.
The overall function or department responsible for managing an organization's public image and media relations.
The standard term in Japanese business. Used as a noun or with する to mean 'do PR'. Often combined with 活動 (activities) or 会社 (agency).
彼女はPR会社で働いています。
She works at a PR agency.
We will strengthen PR activities for the new product.
Formal term for public relations or public information, often used in government, non-profits, and corporate settings. Refers to the department or the activity.
広報課に問い合わせてください。
Please contact the public relations department.
市の広報誌を毎月発行しています。
We publish the city's PR magazine every month.
Full English loanword, rarely used in practice. Mostly seen in academic or very formal international contexts.
パブリックリレーションズの理論を学ぶ。
Study the theory of public relations.
Efforts to gain media coverage or public attention, often for a product, event, or person.
General term for publicity, promotion, or advertising. Can overlap with PR but often implies more direct promotional activity.
その映画は宣伝がうまくいった。
The movie's publicity went well.
彼は自分の会社を宣伝するのが上手だ。
He is good at promoting his company.
Literally 'media exposure'. Used when discussing the amount or quality of coverage in TV, newspapers, etc.
メディア露出を増やす戦略を立てる。
Develop a strategy to increase media exposure.
The perception of an organization or person by the public, and efforts to maintain or improve it.
Wasei-eigo meaning 'improving one's image'. Commonly used in corporate and personal contexts.
会社のイメージアップのために地域活動に参加する。
Participate in community activities to improve the company's image.
Reputation or public estimation. Often used with 良い/悪い (good/bad).
PR (ピーアール) is the most common and versatile term in business. 広報 is more formal and often used for official announcements or government PR. 宣伝 leans toward advertising and promotion, not necessarily relationship-building.
PRは企業イメージを高める活動だ。
PR is an activity to enhance corporate image.
広報は正確な情報を伝える役割がある。
Public relations has the role of conveying accurate information.
宣伝は商品を売るための活動だ。
Publicity is an activity to sell products.
Avoid literal translations like 公衆関係 (こうしゅうかんけい) or 公共関係 (こうきょうかんけい). These are not used in Japanese and will cause confusion.
その会社はもっと良いPRが必要だ。
The company needs better public relations.
PRとは信頼を築くことです。
Public relations is about building trust.
あのレストランは評判がいい。
That restaurant has a good reputation.
悪い評判を消すのは難しい。
It's hard to erase a bad reputation.