Translation guide
The English word "bishop" can refer to a religious leader in Christianity, a chess piece, or a type of alcoholic drink. This guide covers how to express each meaning naturally in Japanese.
A high-ranking Christian cleric who oversees a diocese.
Standard term for a bishop in the Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches. Used in formal and everyday contexts.
The chess piece that moves diagonally.
A type of mulled wine, often spiced and served warm.
Both mean 'bishop' but are used in different Christian traditions. 司教 is standard for Catholic and Orthodox, while 主教 is common in Anglican/Episcopal and some Protestant churches. In general conversation, 司教 is more widely understood.
In chess, pieces are usually referred to by their English loanwords: キング (king), クイーン (queen), ルーク (rook), ビショップ (bishop), ナイト (knight), ポーン (pawn). Using 角 for bishop might confuse chess players who expect ビショップ.
He is a Catholic bishop.
Often used in Protestant denominations, especially Anglican/Episcopal contexts. Can be interchangeable with 司教 but may carry slightly different denominational nuances.
主教が礼拝を執り行った。
The bishop conducted the service.
Loanword from English, sometimes used in proper names or when referring to bishops in non-Japanese contexts, but not the standard term.
ビショップ・スミスが来日した。
Bishop Smith visited Japan.
The standard term for the bishop in chess, borrowed from English.
ビショップを動かして相手のクイーンを取った。
I moved my bishop and captured the opponent's queen.
The traditional Japanese name for the bishop in shogi (Japanese chess), sometimes used when discussing chess in a Japanese context. Literally means 'angle'.
チェスでは角をビショップと呼ぶ。
In chess, the 'kaku' is called a bishop.
The loanword for the drink, though it is not widely known in Japan. May require explanation.
クリスマスにビショップを作った。
I made bishop for Christmas.
Since the drink is uncommon in Japan, you can describe it as スパイス入りの温かいワイン (spiced warm wine) or ホットワインの一種 (a type of hot wine).
ビショップというスパイス入りの温かいワインを飲んだ。
I drank a spiced warm wine called bishop.