Translation guide
The English word 'virus' can refer to a biological pathogen or a computer virus. In Japanese, the same word ウイルス is used for both, but the context and surrounding vocabulary differ. This guide covers how to talk about viruses naturally in Japanese.
I caught a virus.
My computer has a virus.
Referring to a virus that causes illness in humans, animals, or plants.
The standard loanword for both biological and computer viruses. Used in medical, everyday, and scientific contexts.
A cold virus is going around.
This virus is highly contagious.
A more technical term meaning 'pathogen'. Used in scientific or medical contexts when discussing viruses as disease-causing agents.
This pathogen is a new type of virus.
Referring to malicious software that infects computers or devices.
Same word as biological virus. Context makes the meaning clear. Often used with words like コンピューター (computer) or 感染 (infection).
My computer got infected with a virus.
Describing ideas, trends, or behaviors that spread rapidly and widely, similar to a virus.
Used metaphorically, just like in English. Often combined with words like 拡散 (spread) or 感染 (infection).
That video spread like a virus.
From 'viral', used mainly for online content that becomes popular quickly. More specific to internet culture.
This tweet went viral.
In Japanese, ウイルス (virus) and 細菌 (bacteria) are distinct. Don't use ウイルス for bacterial infections.
That's not a virus; it's bacteria.
Please install antivirus software.
Explicitly 'computer virus'. Used when you need to distinguish from biological viruses.
That email had a computer virus attached.