Translation guide
The English word "credits" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: the closing titles of a film or TV show, acknowledgment of someone's contribution, and academic units. It does not cover financial credits or other niche uses.
Referring to the list of cast and crew shown at the end of a movie or TV program.
The most common and natural way to refer to the closing credits of a film or TV show. It is a loanword from English 'end roll' and is widely understood.
エンドロールが流れ始めた。
The credits started rolling.
エンドロールに私の名前が出ていた。
My name appeared in the credits.
Also used for film credits, but can be ambiguous as it also means 'credit' in financial or other contexts. Often seen in phrases like クレジットタイトル.
映画のクレジットを見るのが好きだ。
I like watching movie credits.
Literally 'staff roll', sometimes used to refer specifically to the list of production staff, as opposed to cast. Less common than エンドロール.
スタッフロールが長かった。
The staff credits were long.
Giving recognition or praise to someone for their role in an achievement.
A natural way to express 'give credit' in the sense of acknowledging someone's achievement or contribution. 功績 means 'achievement' or 'merit'.
彼の功績を認めるべきだ。
We should give him credit for his achievement.
手柄 means 'credit' or 'merit' for a deed. This phrase is used when acknowledging someone's specific contribution or effort.
彼女の手柄を認めないのは不公平だ。
It's unfair not to give her credit.
A very common way to attribute a positive outcome to someone's help or effort, similar to 'thanks to' or 'credit goes to'. It implies gratitude and recognition.
成功したのは君のおかげだ。
The success is all thanks to you. / You deserve the credit.
Means 'to evaluate' or 'to appreciate'. Can be used to give credit in the sense of recognizing value, but is more formal and less direct than 認める.
彼の努力を正当に評価すべきだ。
We should give due credit to his efforts.
Units earned for completing a course at a school or university.
The standard term for academic credits or course units. Used in high school and university contexts.
この授業は4単位です。
This course is worth 4 credits.
卒業に必要な単位を取った。
I earned the credits needed for graduation.
Also used in some educational contexts, especially in international programs or when speaking English-influenced Japanese. 単位 is more standard.
While クレジット is a loanword, it is not the best choice for every context. For film credits, エンドロール is more natural. For academic credits, 単位 is standard. クレジット is mainly used for financial credit or in specific phrases like クレジットカード (credit card).
このプログラムでは30クレジット必要です。
This program requires 30 credits.