Translation guide
The English word "wealth" can refer to material riches, an abundance of resources, or a valuable quality. This guide helps learners express these nuances naturally in Japanese.
Expressing the concept of having a lot of money, assets, or valuable possessions.
The most direct and common translation for 'wealth' in the sense of material riches. Can be used in both concrete and abstract contexts.
He built up wealth.
The distribution of wealth is unfair.
Refers to property, assets, or fortune. Often used in legal or formal contexts, or when talking about inheritance.
He has an enormous fortune.
To inherit wealth/property.
Means assets or property, often in a financial or accounting sense. Can refer to both tangible and intangible assets.
His total assets are 10 billion yen.
Literally 'money-holder', meaning a rich person. Used as a noun or adjective to describe someone wealthy. More colloquial than 富裕層.
He is wealthy.
Means 'wealthy' or 'affluent'. Often used in compound words like 富裕層 (wealthy class). More formal and less common in daily conversation.
Services for the wealthy.
Describing a plentiful supply of something desirable, not necessarily money.
Refers to abundance, richness, or affluence in a broad sense. Can be used for material wealth, but also for richness of nature, culture, or life.
This country is blessed with natural wealth.
Spiritual wealth is important.
Can also be used metaphorically for an abundance of non-material things, like knowledge or experience.
Literally 'mountain of treasure', used idiomatically to mean a wealth of something valuable, like information or resources.
Referring to a positive characteristic or resource that is beneficial.
Used metaphorically to describe a valuable asset, like experience or a good reputation.
His experience is a great asset (wealth) to the company.
Means 'treasure'. Can be used to describe something or someone highly valued, similar to 'a wealth of' in a figurative sense.
富 (tomi) is the most general term for wealth, often used in abstract or philosophical contexts. 財産 (zaisan) emphasizes property and assets, commonly used in legal or inheritance situations. 資産 (shisan) is more technical, referring to financial assets in accounting or economics.
English phrases like 'a wealth of information' should not be translated word-for-word. Instead, use expressions like 豊富な情報 (hōfu na jōhō, abundant information) or 情報の宝の山 (jōhō no takara no yama, a mountain of treasure of information).
Health is wealth.
A direct translation works well here, using 富 for the abstract concept.
He accumulated great wealth.
The country's mineral wealth is vast.
Here 'wealth' is better translated as 資源 (resources) with 豊か (abundant).
To share a wealth of knowledge.
This library is a wealth of information.
彼女はチームの宝だ。
She is a treasure (a wealth of talent) to the team.