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.
What is the title of this movie?
Please tell me the title of that song.
A more formal or literary term for 'title', often used for books, essays, or formal works.
The title of this book is 'Snow Country'.
Literally 'work name', used in formal contexts like databases or catalogs.
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.
Japanese honorific titles are complex.
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).
Mr./Ms. Tanaka, you have a phone call.
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.
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.
A document or right proving ownership.
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.
What's the title of this game?
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.
(Incorrect) What is the title of this movie?
'Sama' is a polite title.
山田先生に質問があります。
I have a question for Dr. Yamada.
彼の肩書きは部長です。
His title is department manager.
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.
What is the title of this movie?