Translation guide
The English word "text" can refer to written words in general, a specific written work, a textbook, or a text message. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Referring to written material, the wording of something, or the body of a document.
Refers to the main body of a text, as opposed to headings, footnotes, or appendices. Common in academic or formal contexts.
The text of this book is very easy to read.
General term for sentences, writing, or prose. Can refer to the wording or composition of a text.
Original text, as opposed to a translation or adaptation.
Loanword from English, often used for digital text, data, or as a generic term in academic/IT contexts.
Referring to a particular book, article, or piece of writing.
A document or written material, often official or formal.
I lost an important document (text).
Reference material, literature, or scholarly texts.
A work (of literature, art, etc.). Can be used for a literary text.
A book used for study, especially in a course.
A short message sent via mobile phone or messaging app.
General term for a message, including text messages. Often used with 送る (send).
Please send me a text.
Specifically refers to SMS text messages. Less common in casual conversation than メッセージ or LINE.
I'll contact you by text (SMS).
Refers to messages sent via the LINE app, which is the dominant messaging platform in Japan. Often used as a verb (ラインする).
While テキスト is a common loanword, it is not used for text messages. For messages, use メッセージ or app-specific terms like LINE.
彼の文章はわかりにくい。
His writing (text) is hard to understand.
原文と訳文を比べてみた。
I compared the original text with the translation.
テキストデータを分析する。
Analyze text data.
この研究には多くの文献が必要だ。
This research requires many texts (references).
シェイクスピアの作品を読んだ。
I read a text by Shakespeare.
このクラスのテキストは高い。
The textbook for this class is expensive.
I'll text you later (on LINE).