Translation guide
The quality of being real, important, or having physical presence. This is an abstract noun that learners rarely need to translate directly. Instead, focus on the specific meaning you want to express: physical substance, importance/significance, or reality/existence.
Describing something that has physical mass, is solid, or is not flimsy.
Refers to the actual physical substance or entity of something, as opposed to its appearance or name.
その建物には実体がある。
That building has substantiality (physical presence).
A feeling of fullness or substance, often used for experiences or meals.
この料理は充実感がある。
This dish has a feeling of substantiality.
Mass; used in scientific contexts for physical substantiality.
物体の質量を測定する。
Measure the substantiality (mass) of the object.
Expressing that something is meaningful, weighty, or not trivial.
The most common and natural way to express importance or significance.
この問題の重要性を理解してください。
Please understand the substantiality (importance) of this issue.
Emphasizes seriousness or gravity, often for consequences.
彼はその決断の重大さを認識していなかった。
He didn't recognize the substantiality (gravity) of the decision.
Weight, in a metaphorical sense; implies depth and impact.
Contrasting with illusion, theory, or vagueness; something that actually exists.
Actual existence; often used in philosophical or factual contexts.
その生物の実在が確認された。
The substantiality (actual existence) of the creature was confirmed.
A sense of reality; often used when something feels real or plausible.
Concreteness; the quality of being specific and tangible rather than abstract.
The English word 'substantiality' is rare and formal. In most cases, Japanese speakers use more specific words like 重要性 (importance), 実体 (physical substance), or 具体性 (concreteness). Translating 'substantiality' directly as 実質性 (じっしつせい) is possible but sounds highly technical or legal.
Instead of trying to find a single Japanese equivalent for 'substantiality', identify whether you mean physical mass, importance, or reality, and choose the corresponding Japanese term.
His words have substantiality (weight).
その計画には現実味がない。
That plan lacks substantiality (a sense of reality).
彼の提案には具体性が欠けている。
His proposal lacks substantiality (concreteness).