Translation guide
The act of taking something for one's own use, often without permission, or allocating funds for a specific purpose. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on context: whether it's about money, ideas, property, or cultural elements.
To express the act of setting aside money for a specific purpose, especially in government or business contexts.
The standard term for including an amount in the budget; used in formal and business settings.
来年度の予算に新規事業のための予算計上が認められた。
The appropriation for the new project was approved in next year's budget.
Refers to allocating or applying funds to a specific purpose; often used in accounting.
この費用は予備費から充当する。
This expense will be covered by appropriation from the reserve fund.
General term for expenditure; can imply appropriation in context, but less specific.
政府は教育への支出を増やした。
The government increased its appropriation for education.
To express the act of taking someone else's property, ideas, or cultural elements and using them as one's own, often with a negative connotation.
Diversion or misappropriation of funds, resources, or ideas for a different purpose than intended, often implying improper use.
彼は会社の資金を個人的な目的に流用した。
He appropriated company funds for personal use.
Embezzlement; specifically refers to the illegal taking of money or property entrusted to one's care.
Plagiarism or unauthorized use of someone else's work, ideas, or creations.
Pocketing money or goods dishonestly; similar to embezzlement but often used for smaller-scale theft.
Treating public or shared property as one's own; often used in political or organizational contexts.
To express the adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, especially when done without understanding or respect, often seen as exploitative.
The most direct translation for 'cultural appropriation', widely used in academic and social discourse.
そのファッションブランドは文化の盗用だと非難された。
The fashion brand was accused of cultural appropriation.
Similar to 文化の盗用, but slightly less accusatory; can imply borrowing or repurposing cultural elements.
文化の流用は、時に誤解を生む。
Cultural appropriation sometimes leads to misunderstandings.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'to use a culture as one's own'; less common but understandable.
彼らは先住民の文化を自分のものとして使っていると批判された。
They were criticized for appropriating indigenous culture.
流用 is diversion for a different purpose, often improper but not always illegal. 横領 is embezzlement, a criminal act. 盗用 is plagiarism or unauthorized use of creative works.
予算の流用は規則違反だが、横領は犯罪だ。
Budget diversion is a rule violation, but embezzlement is a crime.
The English word 'appropriation' covers many distinct concepts. Using a single Japanese word in all contexts will sound unnatural. Choose the term that matches the specific situation.
経理担当者が多額の金を横領した。
The accountant appropriated a large sum of money.
彼は他人のデザインを盗用して批判された。
He was criticized for appropriating someone else's design.
売上金の一部を着服していたことが発覚した。
It was discovered that he had been appropriating part of the sales proceeds.
Appropriation of public funds for personal use is unacceptable.