Translation guide
A trademark is a distinctive sign used to identify and distinguish the goods or services of one business from those of others. In Japanese, the concept is expressed through specific legal and business terms, as well as more general words for distinctive characteristics.
trademark (legal)
trademark (distinctive trait)
A legally registered symbol, word, or phrase identifying a product or company.
The standard legal and business term for a trademark. Used in formal contexts, contracts, and intellectual property discussions.
This logo is a registered trademark of our company.
Specifically means 'registered trademark'. Often used with the ® symbol.
That name is a registered trademark.
Loanword from English, commonly used in business and casual contexts. Often refers to a visual logo or brand symbol.
Those red shoes are her trademark.
A habitual feature or distinctive trait of a person or thing.
Used figuratively, just like in English, to mean a distinctive personal trait or signature style.
His trademark is that he always wears a hat.
General word for 'characteristic' or 'feature'. Less specific than 'trademark' but natural when describing a distinctive trait.
Literally 'pronoun', but can be used figuratively to mean something synonymous with a person or their trademark trait.
商標 is the formal legal term used in business and law. トレードマーク is a loanword used both for actual trademarks and figuratively for personal traits. In casual conversation about someone's signature style, トレードマーク is more natural.
彼女の話し方の特徴は早口なことだ。
A trademark of her speech is that she talks fast.
Red high heels are her trademark.