Translation guide
A triptych is a set of three panels, often hinged together, used in art or religious contexts. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 三幅対 (さんぷくつい), referring to a set of three hanging scrolls or paintings. For Western art, トリプティック is also used. This guide covers how to refer to triptychs in various contexts.
triptych (Western/modern)
Loanword, common in art contexts.
Referring to a triptych as a work of art, especially in traditional Japanese or East Asian contexts.
Standard term for a set of three hanging scrolls or paintings, often with a central piece and two side pieces. Used in traditional Japanese art.
This triptych is from the Kamakura period.
Loanword from English, used for Western-style triptychs, especially in modern art contexts.
Literally 'three-linked picture', a less common term that can refer to a triptych in a general sense, but may not be widely recognized.
Referring to a triptych used as a religious altarpiece, typically in Christian contexts.
Specific term for a triptych altarpiece, combining 'three-linked' and 'altarpiece'.
The church's triptych altarpiece depicts scenes from the Bible.
Also used for religious triptychs, especially in art history contexts.
Referring to a triptych in photography, film, or digital media, where three images are presented together.
Commonly used in photography and modern art for a set of three related images.
His photographic triptych expresses the beauty of nature.
Means 'trilogy', often used for a set of three related works in literature, film, or art. Can be applied to a triptych if it tells a story.
三幅対 is specifically for traditional East Asian hanging scrolls or paintings, while トリプティック is a loanword used for Western or modern triptychs. In casual conversation, トリプティック may be more widely understood among younger people or in art circles.
In Japan, sanpukutsui are often seen, but in Western art, triptychs are common.
If the exact term is not known, you can describe it as 三枚の絵がつながった作品 (a work of three connected pictures) or 三枚組の絵 (a set of three pictures).
This is a work consisting of three connected pictures.
The museum has a famous triptych by Bosch.
She bought a triptych of ukiyo-e prints.
The triptych was displayed at a contemporary art exhibition.
This triptych is displayed behind the altar.
This triptych is a 15th-century Flemish work.
This triptych of paintings tells a single story.