Translation guide
Ways to express the concept of citizenship in Japanese, covering legal nationality, civic participation, and the status of being a citizen.
日本国籍を持っています。
I have Japanese citizenship.
The legal status of being a citizen of a country, often in official or formal contexts.
The standard term for nationality or citizenship in a legal sense. Used on forms, in laws, and when asking about someone's country of citizenship.
国籍は日本です。
My nationality is Japanese.
二重国籍は認められていません。
Dual citizenship is not recognized.
Literally 'citizen rights', this can refer to citizenship in the sense of the rights and privileges of a citizen, or sometimes to legal citizenship itself, especially in translations of Western concepts.
Often used for 'citizenship' in the context of naturalization or civic rights, but 国籍 is more common for simple nationality.
市民権を得るには試験が必要です。
You need to pass an exam to obtain citizenship.
Specifically Japanese citizenship/nationality.
日本国籍を取得しました。
I acquired Japanese citizenship.
The quality of being an active, responsible member of a community or society.
Refers to the character or quality of being a citizen, often used in educational contexts discussing 'good citizenship'.
学校で市民性について学びます。
We learn about citizenship at school.
Awareness or consciousness as a citizen; often used when talking about civic responsibility.
市民としての自覚を持つことが大切です。
It's important to have a sense of citizenship.
Responsibility as a citizen; 公民 is a formal term for citizen, often used in legal or political contexts.
公民としての責任を果たす。
Fulfill one's duties as a citizen.
The condition or fact of being a citizen, often in abstract discussions.
A straightforward nominalization meaning 'being a citizen'. Used when no specific legal or participatory nuance is needed.
市民であることの意味を考えてみよう。
Let's think about the meaning of citizenship.
Similar to above but using 国民 (national/people of a nation), emphasizing membership in a nation-state.
国民であることの権利と義務。
The rights and duties of citizenship.
国籍 (こくせき) is the standard legal term for nationality/citizenship. 市民権 (しみんけん) often implies the rights and privileges of citizenship, and is used in contexts like 'granting citizenship' or 'citizenship test', but 国籍 is more common for stating one's nationality.
国籍を聞かれたら、日本と答えます。
When asked my citizenship, I answer Japan.
市民権試験に合格した。
I passed the citizenship test.
市民 (しみん) means 'citizen' as a person, not the abstract concept of citizenship. To talk about citizenship as a concept, use 市民性, 市民権, or a phrase like 市民であること.
彼はアメリカ市民です。
He is an American citizen.
市民性教育は重要です。
Citizenship education is important.