Translation guide
The process of converting text from one script to another, typically preserving pronunciation. In Japanese contexts, this usually refers to converting Japanese text into the Latin alphabet (romaji) or converting foreign words into katakana.
Expressing the act of writing Japanese words using the English alphabet.
The standard term for writing Japanese in Latin script. Literally 'Roman character notation'.
この単語のローマ字表記を教えてください。
Please tell me the romaji spelling of this word.
A common phrase meaning 'to write in romaji'. More casual and action-oriented.
名前をローマ字で書いてください。
Please write your name in romaji.
The process of romanization, often used in academic or technical contexts.
日本語のローマ字化にはいくつかの方式がある。
There are several systems for the romanization of Japanese.
Expressing the act of writing foreign words using Japanese characters, typically katakana.
The standard term for writing foreign words in katakana. Literally 'katakana notation'.
英語の名前をカタカナ表記するとどうなりますか？
How would you write an English name in katakana?
A common phrase meaning 'to write in katakana'. Used in everyday situations.
外国の地名はカタカナで書くことが多い。
Foreign place names are often written in katakana.
A technical term for phonetic translation, i.e., transliteration. Often used in linguistics.
Referring to the abstract process of converting between writing systems, not specific to Japanese.
General term for script conversion, though it can also mean character encoding conversion. Context clarifies meaning.
このソフトはキリル文字からラテン文字への文字変換ができます。
This software can perform transliteration from Cyrillic to Latin script.
A precise term for transliteration, often used in academic contexts. Literally 'character translation'.
サンスクリット語の翻字には特別な記号が必要だ。
Transliteration of Sanskrit requires special symbols.
Can mean transcription or transliteration, but often implies a more phonetic approach. Used in linguistics.
ローマ字表記 refers specifically to writing Japanese in Latin script (romaji), while カタカナ表記 refers to writing foreign words in katakana. They are opposite directions of transliteration.
「東京」のローマ字表記は 'Tokyo' です。
The romaji for 東京 is 'Tokyo'.
「New York」のカタカナ表記は「ニューヨーク」です。
The katakana for 'New York' is 「ニューヨーク」.
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often use the verb 書く (to write) with the script name, e.g., ローマ字で書く or カタカナで書く. The noun forms ローマ字表記 and カタカナ表記 are more formal and precise.
この言葉は音訳すると「コンピューター」になる。
This word, when transliterated, becomes 'konpyūtā'.
It is difficult to accurately transcribe the sounds of this language.