Translation guide
How to talk about the spelling of a word in Japanese, including asking how to spell something, saying the spelling, and describing spelling patterns.
How do you spell it?
It's spelled ~
The learner wants to ask someone how a word is spelled, either in general or in a specific writing system.
A natural, general way to ask 'How do you write it?' or 'How is it spelled?'. Works for any writing system.
How do you spell this word?
Directly asks 'What is the spelling?'. More common when referring to English or other foreign words written in romaji.
Uses the verb 綴る (つづる), which specifically means 'to spell'. More formal and less common in daily conversation.
How do you spell that word?
The learner wants to tell someone how a word is spelled, often by listing characters or describing the writing.
Means 'It is written as ~'. Use this to state the spelling by inserting the characters directly before と.
The learner wants to talk about how spelling works in general, such as rules, common patterns, or differences between systems.
The noun meaning 'spelling'. Used in phrases like 'English spelling' or 'spelling rules'.
The learner wants to point out a spelling mistake or ask if something is spelled correctly.
Means 'The spelling is wrong'. Polite and direct.
綴り (つづり) is the native Japanese word for spelling and can be used for any language. スペル is a loanword from English and feels more casual or specifically refers to alphabetic spelling. In daily conversation, スペル is very common, but 綴り is better for formal writing or when discussing Japanese orthography.
Japanese spelling is complex.
Can you spell your name for me?
Polite request
What is the spelling of your name?
'Cat' is spelled ねこ.
My name is spelled 太郎.
Means 'The spelling is ~'. Use this when giving the spelling in romaji or kana, especially for foreign words.
The spelling of my name is T-A-R-O.
When spelling aloud in Japanese, you can say the reading of each kana or the name of each kanji (e.g., 'にちようびのひ' for 日). This is common in phone calls or when clarifying.
'日' is the 'hi' from 'nichiyoubi'.
English spelling is difficult.
Loanword for 'spell/spelling'. Very common in casual speech, especially for foreign words.
Please tell me the spelling of this word.
Means 'way of writing'. Can refer to spelling, but also to handwriting or composition. Context clarifies.
I forgot how to write this kanji (the stroke order/spelling).
The spelling of this word is wrong.
A common compound meaning 'spelling mistake'. Used as a noun.
There was a spelling mistake in the report.
Means 'Is it correct?'. Can be used after stating a spelling to check.
Is this spelling correct?
Tell me the spelling. (casual)
スペル usually refers to the sequence of letters or kana, not the stroke order of kanji. For stroke order, use 書き順 (かきじゅん) or 書き方 (かきかた).
私はいつもスペルミスをします。
I always make spelling mistakes.