Translation guide
The English word 'brand' can refer to a trademark, a specific product line, a type of quality, or the act of marking. This guide covers the most common Japanese equivalents for each meaning, from commercial brands to figurative uses.
Referring to a company's brand name, logo, or trademark.
The most common and direct loanword for 'brand' in commercial contexts. Used for well-known company brands, fashion brands, etc.
このブランドのバッグが欲しいです。
I want a bag from this brand.
彼は有名なブランドの服を着ている。
He is wearing clothes from a famous brand.
Often used for brands of alcohol, cigarettes, or other specific product categories. More formal than ブランド.
この銘柄の日本酒はとても人気があります。
This brand of sake is very popular.
Specifically means 'trademark' in a legal or business sense. Not used in everyday conversation about brands.
このロゴは登録商標です。
This logo is a registered trademark.
Describing a particular kind or style of something, often with a distinctive quality.
Used to mean 'type' or 'style', often in phrases like 'a new brand of humor' or 'his brand of politics'. Natural in casual contexts.
彼のユーモアのタイプは独特だ。
His brand of humor is unique.
A general word for 'kind' or 'type'. Can be used in similar contexts, but less directly equivalent to 'brand'.
Means 'style' or 'school', as in a particular way of doing things. Can be used for 'brand of politics' etc., but sounds somewhat literary.
彼独自の流のやり方だ。
It's his own brand of doing things.
Referring to a mark burned or stamped on something to show ownership, especially on livestock.
Specifically a brand made by burning a mark onto something, like on cattle or wooden items.
牛に焼き印を押す。
Brand the cattle.
A brand or stigma, often used figuratively for a mark of disgrace. Historically used for branding criminals.
An engraved mark or stamp, often on metal or products. Not specifically a hot brand, but can be used for maker's marks.
To assign a negative label or reputation to a person.
Literally 'to stamp the brand of ~'. The most direct equivalent for 'to brand someone as something negative'.
彼は嘘つきの烙印を押された。
He was branded a liar.
Means 'to label someone as' or 'to jump to the conclusion that someone is'. More colloquial than 烙印.
彼を怠け者と決めつけるのは良くない。
It's not good to brand him as lazy.
ブランド is the general loanword for commercial brands (fashion, electronics, etc.). 銘柄 is more specific to certain product categories like alcohol, tobacco, or rice, and sounds more formal or traditional.
ビールの銘柄
brand of beer
ファッションブランド
fashion brand
While ブランド can mean 'brand' in many contexts, it is not used for the physical act of branding animals. Use 焼き印を押す or 烙印を押す instead.
This is a new brand of coffee.
彼は裏切り者の烙印を押された。
He was branded a traitor.
指輪に刻印がある。
There is a brand on the ring.