Translation guide
A documentary is a non-fiction film or television program that presents facts about real events, people, or issues. In Japanese, the most common word is ドキュメンタリー, a loanword from English. There are also native terms like 記録映画 (documentary film) and ルポルタージュ (reportage). This guide covers how to refer to documentaries and related expressions.
ドキュメンタリー
documentary
Referring to a non-fiction film or television program that documents reality.
The most common and direct translation. Used for both film and TV documentaries. Often abbreviated as ドキュメンタリー番組 for TV programs.
昨夜、面白いドキュメンタリーを見た。
Last night I watched an interesting documentary.
そのドキュメンタリーは環境問題を扱っている。
That documentary deals with environmental issues.
Literally 'record film'. A more formal or traditional term for documentary film, often used in historical or archival contexts.
この記録映画は戦時中の生活を描いている。
This documentary film depicts life during the war.
From French 'reportage'. Refers to a documentary-style report or film, often with a journalistic approach. Less common than ドキュメンタリー.
彼の最新作は社会派ルポルタージュだ。
His latest work is a socially conscious documentary.
Describing something as having a documentary style or being non-fiction.
Means 'documentary-style'. Used for fictional works that mimic documentary techniques.
この映画はドキュメンタリー風に撮影されている。
This movie is shot in a documentary style.
Means 'non-fiction'. Can refer to books, films, or TV programs. Often used in contrast to fiction.
彼はノンフィクション作家だ。
He is a non-fiction writer.
ドキュメンタリー is the everyday word for any documentary, while 記録映画 sounds more formal and is often used for historical or archival films. In casual conversation, ドキュメンタリー is preferred.
テレビでドキュメンタリーを見るのは好きですか？
Do you like watching documentaries on TV?
この記録映画は国立映画アーカイブに保存されている。
This documentary film is preserved in the National Film Archive.