Translation guide
The English word 'chart' covers several related ideas: a visual display of data (graph), a navigational map, a ranked list (like music charts), and a medical record. Japanese uses different words for each. This guide helps you choose the right one.
To refer to a visual representation of data, such as a bar chart, pie chart, or line graph.
The most common and general word for any kind of data graph or chart. A loanword from English 'graph', but used for 'chart' as well.
このグラフは売上の推移を示しています。
This chart shows the sales trends.
A more formal or technical term for a chart, diagram, or table. Often used in reports and academic contexts.
次の図表をご覧ください。
Please look at the following chart.
A direct loanword from English 'chart'. Commonly used in business and IT contexts, but can sound slightly technical or specific. Often interchangeable with グラフ.
このチャートは複雑すぎる。
This chart is too complicated.
To refer to a map used for navigation, especially at sea or in the air.
Specifically a nautical chart. Used for marine navigation.
船長は海図を確認した。
The captain checked the chart.
An aeronautical chart used for air navigation.
Can also refer to navigational charts in a general sense, especially in aviation or sailing contexts influenced by English.
To refer to a list of the most popular songs, albums, etc., ranked by sales or streams.
The standard term for music charts or any popularity ranking list. Often used in phrases like ヒットチャート (hit chart).
その曲はチャートの1位になった。
That song reached number one on the charts.
A general term for ranking. Can be used for music charts but is broader. Often seen as ランキング表 (ranking chart).
To refer to a patient's medical record or file, often kept at the bedside in hospitals.
From German 'Karte'. The standard term for a patient's medical chart in Japan. Used in hospitals and clinics.
看護師がカルテに記入した。
The nurse wrote in the patient's chart.
A formal term for medical records. More likely to be used in official or legal contexts.
診療録は5年間保存されます。
Medical charts are kept for five years.
To refer to a diagram showing the structure of an organization or a process flow.
Specifically an organizational chart, showing hierarchy and relationships within a company or group.
新しい組織図をメールで送ります。
I'll send the new organizational chart by email.
A generic word for diagram or figure. Can be used for simple charts or illustrations, but is very broad.
図1を参照してください。
Please refer to Chart 1.
グラフ is the most common for data graphs (bar, line, pie). チャート is often used in business/IT for more complex visualizations (Gantt chart, flow chart) or music charts. 図表 is formal and includes tables and diagrams. In casual conversation, グラフ is safest for data charts.
売上グラフを作成した。
I created a sales chart.
プロジェクトのチャートを更新する。
Update the project chart.
In a medical context, always use カルテ. Using チャート would be confusing or sound like a translation error.
患者のカルテを見せてください。
Please show me the patient's chart.
グラフは安定した増加を示している。
The chart shows a steady increase.
この曲はチャートで1位です。
This song is number one on the charts.
看護師が患者のカルテを確認した。
The nurse checked the patient's chart.
パイロットは航空図を見ながら飛行する。
Pilots fly while looking at charts.
Please prepare the navigation charts.
今週のランキングを見てみよう。
Let's look at this week's charts.
A flowchart, used for processes or algorithms. Often used in business and programming.
このフローチャートを見れば手順がわかります。
If you look at this chart, you'll understand the procedure.