Translation guide
The activity or industry of promoting products or services to the public.
Referring to the field, business, or practice of advertising.
The most common and general term for advertising as a concept or industry.
彼は広告業界で働いています。
He works in the advertising industry.
広告の効果を測定するのは難しい。
Measuring the effectiveness of advertising is difficult.
Often used for promotional activities, publicity, or propaganda. Can overlap with advertising but has a broader sense of spreading information.
新製品の宣伝に力を入れている。
We are putting effort into advertising the new product.
Referring to a single commercial message, poster, online ad, etc.
Also used for individual advertisements. Context clarifies whether it's the industry or a specific ad.
この雑誌には化粧品の広告がたくさん載っている。
This magazine has a lot of cosmetics ads.
Abbreviation for 'commercial message'. Refers specifically to TV or radio commercials. Very common in spoken Japanese.
あのCM、面白いよね。
That commercial is funny, isn't it?
Short for 'advertisement'. Used in casual or business contexts, especially for online ads.
ウェブサイトにアドを掲載する。
Place ads on a website.
Specifically referring to ads on the internet, social media, etc.
Internet advertising. A common compound.
ネット広告の市場は拡大している。
The online advertising market is expanding.
Digital advertising, a slightly more formal or business term.
デジタル広告の費用対効果を分析する。
Analyze the cost-effectiveness of digital advertising.
広告 (koukoku) is the standard term for advertising, especially paid commercial messages. 宣伝 (senden) is broader, including publicity, promotion, and sometimes propaganda. Use 広告 for most business/ad contexts; use 宣伝 when emphasizing the act of spreading information or promoting something, which may not always be paid advertising.