Translation guide
The English word 'sustainable' is used in several distinct ways. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether you mean environmentally sustainable, able to be maintained long-term, or something that can be endured.
Describing practices, products, or lifestyles that minimize environmental harm and can be continued long-term without depleting resources.
We are aiming for a sustainable society.
I learned about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A loanword from English, commonly used in marketing, fashion, and lifestyle contexts. Sounds trendy and modern.
This brand uses sustainable materials.
Short for 'ecological', used in casual conversation for eco-friendly or sustainable choices. Less formal than 持続可能な.
I try to live a sustainable lifestyle.
Referring to a situation, system, or pace that can be kept up over time without failing.
Also used for non-environmental contexts where something can be continued long-term.
This pace is not sustainable.
Means 'to last long' or 'to be sustainable' in the sense of enduring over time. Often used for relationships, habits, or businesses.
Literally 'able to maintain'. Used for systems, standards, or conditions that can be kept up.
Referring to something that can be tolerated or borne, often in a negative context.
持続可能な is the formal, standard term used in government, academic, and business contexts. サステナブル is a trendy loanword often seen in advertising and lifestyle media. For official documents or serious discussion, stick with 持続可能な.
The government announced a sustainable energy policy.
Sustainable fashion is popular among young people.
持続可能な is not used for personal physical or emotional endurance. For 'I can't sustain this pain', use 耐えられない or 我慢できない, not 持続可能ではない.
We need to find a sustainable solution.
Is this level of growth sustainable?
I can't sustain this workload.
This way of doing things isn't sustainable.
Whether we can maintain the current quality is the issue.
This noise is not at a sustainable level.