Translation guide
How to express the concept of validity in Japanese, covering legal/official validity, logical soundness, and general acceptability.
Is my passport still valid?
The validity of the argument is questionable.
The state of being legally or officially acceptable, such as a contract, passport, or ticket.
The most common word for legal or official validity. Used for documents, contracts, tickets, etc.
Is this passport valid?
The contract is still valid.
Refers to legal force or effect, often used in formal contexts like laws or contracts.
The quality of being logically sound, such as an argument, reasoning, or point.
Used for the validity of an argument, reasoning, or decision. Implies appropriateness and soundness.
We need to examine the validity of his claim.
Emphasizes justification or legitimacy, often used for rights, actions, or arguments.
Can be used for logical validity but more commonly refers to effectiveness. Use with caution.
Often implies practical effectiveness rather than logical soundness.
The state of being generally accepted as true or correct, such as a point, excuse, or assumption.
Works for general validity, implying something is justified or legitimate.
I doubt the validity of his excuse.
Also used for general validity, focusing on appropriateness.
Literally 'is valid', but can sound unnatural for abstract concepts. Better for documents or tickets.
Avoid using for abstract validity like excuses or arguments; use 妥当性 or 正当性 instead.
This ticket is valid.
有効 (yūkō) is for legal/official validity (documents, tickets). 妥当性 (datōsei) is for logical appropriateness (arguments, decisions). 正当性 (seitōsei) is for justification/legitimacy (rights, excuses).
The visa is valid.
Evaluate the validity of the proposal.
Assert the validity of his actions.
Using 有効 (yūkō) for the validity of an argument or excuse sounds unnatural. Use 妥当性 (datōsei) or 正当性 (seitōsei) instead.
Specifically refers to the expiration date or period of validity.
When is the expiration date of this coupon?
この法律はまだ効力を持っている。
This law is still in effect.
The validity of that criticism is questionable.
Prove the validity of this theory.
その仮定の妥当性を確認する。
Check the validity of that assumption.