material; information; news item
Refers to raw material for a story, article, or report; often used in journalism and content creation.
See also: 種
The reporter is looking for material for an article.
その話はいいネタになる。
That story will make good material.
joke; comedy routine; made-up story
Used for jokes, comedic bits, or fabricated stories; common in entertainment contexts.
彼はいつも面白いネタを披露する。
He always performs funny routines.
それはただのネタだから、本気にしないで。
That's just a made-up story, so don't take it seriously.
Informal use for incriminating or supporting evidence; often in contexts like scandals or investigations.
警察は彼の関与を示すネタをつかんだ。
The police got hold of evidence showing his involvement.
Refers to a magician's trick or the secret behind a trick; also used for hidden know-how.
マジシャンはネタを明かさない。
The magician doesn't reveal his tricks.
sushi ingredients; topping
Specifically used in sushi restaurants for the fish or other toppings placed on rice.
See also: 種
この店はネタが新鮮だ。
This shop has fresh sushi toppings.
Internet slang for a meme or viral content.
その画像はネットで人気のネタになった。
That image became a popular meme online.
He always turns his own blunders into jokes to make people laugh.
I've already run out of things to talk about.
The magician revealed the trick at the end.
The reporter walked around the city looking for a story.
The comedy duo prepared new material in advance.
The police are holding evidence of the culprit's weakness.
ネタ is the broad, casual word for any piece of material, story, or joke topic, while 小ネタ specifically means a small, minor bit of it.