Translation guide
The English phrase "appeal to" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: attracting interest, making a request, and the less common legal sense. It also warns against literal translations that sound unnatural in Japanese.
Expressing that something is appealing, attractive, or interesting to a person or group.
Literally 'pull at one's heart', this is a natural way to say something appeals to someone emotionally or aesthetically.
このデザインは若い女性の心を引く。
This design appeals to young women.
Means 'to be popular with' or 'to be well received by'. Often used for trends, jokes, or products.
そのアニメは子供に受けている。
That anime appeals to children.
Literally 'to appeal to', but used more for evoking senses or emotions, like 'appeals to the eye' or 'appeals to reason'. Not for general attractiveness.
その広告は消費者の感情に訴える。
The advertisement appeals to consumers' emotions.
Asking for help, support, or a decision, often in a formal or public way.
Used for appealing to a person, organization, or the public for action or support. Often formal.
彼は政府に支援を訴えた。
He appealed to the government for support.
Means 'to call on' or 'to appeal to' a group for cooperation or action. Common in public announcements.
市長は市民に節電を呼びかけた。
The mayor appealed to citizens to save electricity.
Formal term for making an official request or appeal, often used in diplomatic or business contexts.
国連は停戦を要請した。
The UN appealed for a ceasefire.
The legal sense of appealing a court ruling.
Standard legal term for appealing a decision to a higher court.
被告は判決を控訴した。
The defendant appealed the verdict.
Specifically refers to appealing to the Supreme Court.
彼らは最高裁に上告した。
They appealed to the Supreme Court.
The English phrase 'appeal to' is often translated literally as 「〜にアピールする」, but this is a loanword used mainly for self-promotion or showing off one's good points, not for the meanings above. For example, 「自分をアピールする」 means 'to sell oneself' or 'to show off one's strengths', not 'to appeal to someone'.