Translation guide
The English word "title" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese, from names of creative works to honorifics and official positions. This guide breaks down the most useful meanings for learners.
Referring to the name given to a creative work.
The most common and direct loanword for 'title' of a creative work. Used in everyday conversation.
この映画のタイトルは何ですか？
What is the title of this movie?
その曲のタイトルを教えてください。
Please tell me the title of that song.
A more formal or literary term for 'title', often used for books, essays, or formal works.
この本の題名は『雪国』です。
The title of this book is 'Snow Country'.
Literally 'work name', used in formal contexts like databases or catalogs.
作品名で検索してください。
Please search by the title of the work.
A word attached to a person's name to show respect or status.
The general term for honorific titles like さん, 様, 先生, etc. Used when discussing language or forms of address.
日本語の敬称は複雑です。
Japanese honorific titles are complex.
「様」は丁寧な敬称です。
'Sama' is a polite title.
In Japanese, titles are usually suffixes attached to names. The specific suffix depends on the relationship and context. Common ones include さん (neutral polite), 様 (formal), 先生 (teacher/doctor), ちゃん (affectionate).
田中さん、お電話です。
Mr./Ms. Tanaka, you have a phone call.
山田先生に質問があります。
I have a question for Dr. Yamada.
Refers to a professional or official title, like 'President' or 'Manager'. Often used in business contexts.
The position of being the winner or holding a specific rank.
Used for championship titles in sports, boxing, etc. Same loanword as for creative works.
彼はチャンピオンのタイトルを防衛した。
He defended his championship title.
Specifically means 'championship' or 'title match'. Often used in official names of tournaments.
Literally 'throne', used for prestigious titles in sports like sumo or shogi, or metaphorically for dominance.
The name of a role within an organization.
Refers to an official position or post within a company or organization. Commonly used in business.
彼の役職は課長です。
His title is section chief.
Overlaps with honorific titles but often used for job titles on business cards or in introductions.
A document or right proving ownership.
A document proving a right, such as a land title deed.
土地の権利書を紛失した。
I lost the title deed to the land.
The right of ownership itself, not the document. Used in legal contexts.
タイトル is the everyday word for titles of movies, songs, games, etc. 題名 is more formal and often used for written works like books or essays. In casual speech, タイトル is almost always safe.
このゲームのタイトルは何？
What's the title of this game?
論文の題名を決める。
Decide on the title of the thesis.
肩書き refers to a person's professional or social title, not the name of a book or movie. Using it for a creative work would be unnatural.
✕ この映画の肩書きは？
(Incorrect) What is the title of this movie?
◯ この映画のタイトルは？
What is the title of this movie?
彼の肩書きは部長です。
His title is department manager.
世界選手権で優勝した。
I won the world championship title.
Defend the yokozuna title.
名刺に肩書きを印刷する。
Print the title on business cards.
その家の所有権は彼にある。
He holds the title to that house.