Translation guide
A small image used as a preview or reduced-size version of a larger image, especially in digital contexts.
A small image representing a larger image, video, or file, commonly used on websites, in file managers, and in media players.
The most common and direct loanword from English. Used in almost all digital contexts.
Thumbnails of the images are displayed in this folder.
Please click the video thumbnail.
A more descriptive Japanese term meaning 'reduced image'. Used in technical or formal contexts.
I created a program that generates thumbnail images.
Abbreviated casual form of サムネイル, common in informal speech among tech-savvy people.
This thumbnail is a bit hard to see, isn't it?
A small, rough drawing or a brief written outline, often used in planning or brainstorming.
Direct loan translation used in design and art contexts for a small rough sketch.
Before the meeting, I drew thumbnail sketches to organize my ideas.
Means 'simple rough sketch'. More natural in general Japanese than the loanword.
Literally 'small rough drawing'. Used in manga/anime production.
A concise description or outline of something, like a thumbnail sketch in words.
Standard word for 'outline' or 'summary'. Not a direct translation of 'thumbnail' but conveys the idea of a brief overview.
Please give a brief thumbnail sketch of the project.
Means 'simple summary'. More casual than 概要.
Give me a thumbnail summary of this chapter.
サムネイル is the default in everyday digital contexts (websites, apps, casual conversation). 縮小画像 is more formal and often used in technical documentation or when emphasizing the reduction process.
The website thumbnails aren't loading.
This system automatically generates thumbnail images.
I draw several simple rough sketches to decide the composition.
First, we check the overall flow with small rough drawings.