Translation guide
The English word "synonym" refers to a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 同義語 (どうぎご), but other terms like 類義語 (るいぎご) and シノニム (しのにむ) are used depending on context and nuance.
To refer to a word that has the same meaning as another word.
The standard term for 'synonym' in linguistics and everyday use. It implies exact or very close equivalence in meaning.
「大きい」と「巨大な」は同義語です。
"Ōkii" and "kyodai na" are synonyms.
Often translated as 'synonym' but technically refers to words with similar, not identical, meanings (near-synonyms). Used in dictionaries and thesauruses.
この辞書には類義語がたくさん載っています。
This dictionary contains many synonyms.
Loanword from English, used mainly in technical or academic contexts, such as database systems or linguistics papers.
データベースでシノニムを作成する。
Create a synonym in the database.
To talk about the idea of synonymy or the relationship between synonyms.
Refers to the state of having the same meaning; synonymy. Often used in compounds like 同義語.
この二つの言葉は同義です。
These two words are synonymous.
Refers to similarity in meaning; near-synonymy. Used in compounds like 類義語.
類義の言葉を調べる。
Look up words with similar meanings.
同義語 (どうぎご) implies exact synonymy, while 類義語 (るいぎご) implies near-synonymy. In everyday English, 'synonym' covers both, but in Japanese, the distinction is more strictly observed in linguistic contexts. For general use, 同義語 is safer.