Translation guide
A guide to expressing the concept of 'related to' in Japanese, covering connections, relevance, and associations.
To say that something is about or connected to a particular subject, person, or thing.
Used to indicate a direct relationship or connection. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.
This problem is related to the environment.
He is related to the incident.
A formal pattern meaning 'concerning' or 'regarding'. Often used in writing, reports, or official contexts.
This book is about Japanese history.
If you have any questions related to education, please ask.
Similar to に関係する, but often implies a looser or more indirect connection. Common in news and formal contexts.
That news is related to the economy.
Used for stories, legends, or rumors associated with something. Has a literary or narrative feel.
This shrine has a story related to an old legend.
To say that something is relevant to a matter or situation.
To say that someone is a relative or family member.
The most common way to say someone is a relative. Use 親戚です in polite speech.
She is related to me.
Another natural way to express family relation, literally 'is a relative of ~'.
That person is related to the company president.
Specifically means 'related by blood'. Used in formal or legal contexts.
I am related to him by blood.
To say that one event or fact is connected to another as a cause or result.
関係する is the most general and common for 'related to'. 関連する is often used for indirect or associative connections, especially in news. 関する is formal and means 'concerning' or 'regarding', often used in titles or official statements.
English 'related to' covers many nuances. Direct translation as 関係する is not always natural. For example, 'This book is related to history' is better as この本は歴史に関するものです, not この本は歴史に関係しています, which sounds odd.
The problem is related to a lack of funds.