Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of subtitles is expressed through specific terms depending on the context, such as film subtitles, closed captions, or document subtitles. The most common word is 字幕 (jimaku).
subtitle (of a book)
Used for secondary titles of works.
The text displayed at the bottom of a screen translating or transcribing dialogue in a movie, TV show, or video.
The standard term for subtitles in films, TV shows, and videos. Can refer to both translation subtitles and same-language captions.
This movie has English subtitles.
Please turn on the subtitles.
Refers to superimposed text on TV screens, often used for emphasis, commentary, or captions in variety shows. Not typically used for translation subtitles.
Short for スーパーインポーズ (superimpose), used in broadcasting for on-screen text overlays, including subtitles. More technical.
Subtitles specifically designed for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers, including sound descriptions.
Literally 'subtitle broadcast', used for TV programs with closed captions for the hearing impaired.
This program supports closed captions.
A subordinate title of a book, article, or other published work.
Loanword from English, commonly used for the secondary title of a book, movie, or article.
The subtitle of this book is 'A Tale of Love and Friendship'.
Native Japanese word for subtitle of a book or article. More formal than サブタイトル.
字幕 (jimaku) is the standard term for subtitles translating dialogue. テロップ (telop) refers to on-screen text used in TV shows for emphasis or commentary, not for translation. Using テロップ for movie subtitles would sound odd.
サブタイトル means a secondary title (like a book subtitle), not the captions at the bottom of a movie. For film subtitles, always use 字幕.
バラエティ番組のテロップが面白い。
The captions on the variety show are funny.
ニュースのスーパーに誤字があった。
There was a typo in the news caption.
Loanword from English, used in technical contexts or on streaming platforms.
To display closed captions, please change the settings.
論文の副題を考える。
Think of a subtitle for the thesis.