Translation guide
The English word "status" covers several distinct ideas: social standing, a current state or situation, and legal standing. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
To talk about someone's position in a hierarchy, their reputation, or the respect they command.
Refers to one's social position, rank, or standing in society or an organization. Often used in formal contexts.
He holds a high position in the company.
Refers to social status or identity, often in terms of class, caste, or legal standing. Slightly old-fashioned or formal.
people of low social status
A loanword from English, often used for social prestige or as a status symbol. Common in casual conversation.
A luxury car is a status symbol.
Refers to social status in terms of formality, dignity, or prestige, often associated with traditions or institutions.
This hotel has high status (is prestigious).
To describe the present state of something, such as a project, system, or person's condition.
The most common word for 'situation' or 'state of affairs'. Used in both formal and informal contexts.
Please tell me the current status.
Refers to the condition or state of something, often physical or technical. Common in IT and everyday use.
Means 'current situation' or 'present state'. Often used in business or formal reports.
Also used for 'status' in the sense of a progress update, especially in IT or casual contexts (e.g., social media status).
To refer to one's legal status, such as residency, marital status, or official capacity.
Refers to legal eligibility, qualifications, or official status (e.g., residency status).
Obtain residency status.
Can also refer to legal identity or status, such as marital status or official standing.
A direct translation of 'legal status', used in legal or academic contexts.
His legal status is unclear.
状況 (joukyou) refers to the overall situation or circumstances, often involving external factors. 状態 (joutai) refers to the internal condition or state of a specific thing or person. For example, a project's progress is 状況, while a machine's working condition is 状態.
The economic situation is worsening.
His health condition is good.
While ステータス is understood, it can sound like casual loanword overuse in formal contexts. For social standing, prefer 地位; for condition, prefer 状態 or 状況.
What's the status of the project?
He is obsessed with social status.
システムの状態を確認する。
Check the status of the system.
現状を報告します。
I will report on the current status.
I updated the task status.
marital status