Translation guide
The English verb "transcribe" has several distinct meanings. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether they mean writing down speech, converting audio to text, copying written text, or representing sounds in phonetic symbols.
To listen to speech and write it down verbatim, such as in dictation or recording minutes.
The most common and natural verb for writing down spoken words exactly as heard. Often used in dictation exercises.
先生の話を書き取る。
I transcribe the teacher's talk.
Specifically refers to converting recorded audio or speech into text, often used in professional contexts like creating subtitles or meeting minutes.
会議の内容を文字起こしする。
I transcribe the contents of the meeting.
Similar to 文字起こしする, but can also mean to start writing or to write from scratch. Less common for simple dictation.
インタビューを書き起こす。
I transcribe the interview.
To turn any audio recording into written form, often using software or manual effort.
A modern, clear phrase for converting audio into text, commonly used with technology.
このアプリは音声をテキスト化できる。
This app can transcribe audio.
A slightly more formal or traditional way to say 'put into writing'. Often used for manual transcription.
録音を文字に起こす。
I transcribe the recording.
To make a written copy of something already written, such as a document or manuscript.
The standard verb for copying text by hand or typing from a written source.
ノートに書き写す。
I transcribe it into my notebook.
A more formal term, often used for copying documents or images exactly, sometimes by tracing or photocopying.
古文書を転写する。
I transcribe the ancient document.
To write words using a phonetic alphabet like IPA to show pronunciation.
The most natural way to say 'transcribe phonetically'. Literally 'express in phonetic symbols'.
単語を発音記号で表す。
I transcribe the word in phonetic symbols.
A technical linguistic term meaning 'to transcribe phonetically'. Rare in everyday conversation.
音声を音写する。
I transcribe the speech sounds.
To represent text from one writing system in another, such as romanizing Japanese or converting kanji to kana.
General term for rewriting or converting text, often used for transliteration.
漢字をひらがなに書き換える。
I transcribe the kanji into hiragana.
A technical term for transliteration, used in linguistics. Not common in daily speech.
キリル文字をラテン文字に翻字する。
I transcribe Cyrillic into Latin script.
The English verb 'transcribe' covers many distinct actions. Using a single Japanese word like 転写する for all contexts will sound unnatural. Always choose the expression that matches the specific meaning.
書き取る is for writing down live speech (e.g., dictation), while 文字起こしする is for converting recorded audio into text. Use 書き取る when you are listening and writing simultaneously; use 文字起こしする when working from a recording.