Translation guide
The English word "brief" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: short in duration, concise in speech or writing, and legal documents. It also includes related expressions for giving instructions or summaries.
Describing something that lasts only a short time.
The most common and general word for 'short' in duration. Can be used for meetings, visits, breaks, etc.
短い会議でした。
It was a brief meeting.
短い休憩を取りましょう。
Let's take a brief break.
Means 'temporary' or 'transient'. Used when emphasizing that something is not permanent.
それは一時的な現象です。
It's a brief phenomenon.
Literary expression meaning 'a brief moment' or 'fleeting'. Often used in poetic or emotional contexts.
束の間の幸せだった。
It was a brief happiness.
Using few words; giving information clearly and quickly.
Means 'concise' or 'succinct'. Commonly used for explanations, reports, or statements.
簡潔な説明をお願いします。
Please give a brief explanation.
彼のスピーチは簡潔だった。
His speech was brief.
Means 'brief' or 'short' in a practical sense, often used when asking someone to be quick. Slightly more casual than 簡潔.
Literally 'to say by pinching/summarizing'. Means to give a brief summary or outline.
かいつまんで言うと、計画は中止です。
To be brief, the plan is canceled.
Means 'simplified' or 'abbreviated'. Often used for versions of documents or procedures.
A written statement of facts or instructions, especially in legal contexts.
A formal term for a brief or summary document, often used in legal or business settings.
弁護士が摘要書を準備した。
The lawyer prepared a brief.
Loanword from English, used in legal and business contexts. Often refers to a written summary or instructions.
クライアントにブリーフを送った。
I sent the brief to the client.
Specifically a legal brief or case summary.
裁判所に訴訟摘要書を提出する。
Submit a brief to the court.
To give someone essential information or instructions, often before they do something.
Means 'to explain in advance'. A natural way to express briefing someone.
会議の前にチームに事前に説明した。
I briefed the team before the meeting.
Literally 'to convey the outline'. Used when giving a brief overview.
新入社員に仕事の概要を伝えた。
I briefed the new employee on the job.
When using 'brief' as a verb (to give instructions), do not directly translate it as a single Japanese verb. Instead, use phrases like 事前に説明する or 概要を伝える. The loanword ブリーフィングする exists but is less natural in many contexts.
彼に状況を説明した。
I briefed him on the situation.
短い (mijikai) is for physical or temporal shortness. 簡潔 (kanketsu) is for conciseness in expression. Don't use 短い to describe a speech unless you mean it was literally short in time, not necessarily concise.
彼の説明は短かったが、簡潔ではなかった。
His explanation was short, but not concise.
手短に話してください。
Please be brief.
簡略版の報告書を提出した。
I submitted a brief version of the report.
Loanword for 'briefing', used in business or military contexts.
明日の朝、ブリーフィングがあります。
There's a briefing tomorrow morning.