Translation guide
The English word "specimen" can refer to a sample for testing, a typical example of something, or an individual organism. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
A small amount of a substance or tissue taken for medical, scientific, or quality testing.
Most common term for a medical or laboratory specimen (blood, urine, tissue, etc.). Used in clinical and research contexts.
We collected a blood specimen.
Please send the specimen to the lab.
Refers to a preserved specimen for study or display, such as in a museum or biology collection. Also used for statistical samples.
Loanword from English, used broadly for samples in testing, marketing, or quality control. Less formal than 検体.
Formal term for a test sample or specimen, often used in scientific or industrial contexts. More common in written reports.
A person or thing that perfectly represents a particular type, characteristic, or quality.
The standard term for a typical example or model. Often used in phrases like 典型例 (typical case).
He is a specimen of the hardworking Japanese person.
Literally 'sample' or 'model', can be used for a person or thing that serves as a perfect example, often in a positive sense.
Means 'representative example'. Used when something is a prime specimen of its kind.
This work is a specimen of his art.
A single living organism, especially when considered as an example of its species or type. Sometimes used humorously for a person.
Biological term for an individual organism. Neutral and scientific.
Male specimens of this species are rare.
Counter for small animals, fish, insects. Used when referring to a single specimen in a collection or observation.
Japanese uses different counters for different types of organisms (e.g., 一頭 for large animals, 一羽 for birds). Choose the correct counter instead of a generic word for 'specimen'.
One specimen of that bird is on display.
Very casual, often derogatory or humorous term for a person. Can translate 'specimen' when referring to a dubious or peculiar individual.
Can be offensive; use only in very informal contexts among close friends.
検体 is strictly for medical/lab specimens (blood, tissue). 標本 is for preserved biological or geological specimens, often in collections. サンプル is a general loanword for any sample, including free product samples.
Please submit a urine specimen.
This butterfly specimen is 100 years old.
I received a specimen of the new product.
Do not use 検体 or 標本 to mean 'a typical example of a person'. Those words sound unnatural and overly clinical. Use 典型 or 見本 instead.
He is a specimen of honesty.
この博物館には珍しい昆虫の標本があります。
This museum has rare insect specimens.
製品のサンプルを無料で配布しています。
We are giving out free product specimens.
Analysis of the specimen showed no abnormalities.
This building is a specimen of Edo-period architecture.
He is a model student, a real specimen.
この標本箱には蝶が一匹入っています。
This specimen box contains one butterfly.
I've never seen a specimen like that.