Translation guide
How to express 'dots' in Japanese, covering visual marks, patterns, and related concepts.
Referring to small, round visual marks, such as dots on a surface, in a pattern, or as punctuation.
General word for a dot, point, or spot. Used for dots in patterns, punctuation, and abstract points.
Put a dot on the paper.
点線で切ってください。
Please cut along the dotted line.
Loanword from English 'dot', often used in technical or design contexts, like pixels or dot patterns.
この画像はドットが粗い。
This image has coarse dots (pixels).
ドット柄のシャツ。
A polka-dot shirt.
Refers to spots or specks, often on animals, plants, or as blemishes. More specific than 点.
てんとう虫の斑点。
The spots on a ladybug.
Referring to the punctuation mark '...' or a series of dots indicating omission or pause.
The standard term for ellipsis (three dots). Often used in writing and editing.
三点リーダーを使って余韻を表す。
Use an ellipsis to express a lingering feeling.
The symbol itself, often called 点々 (てんてん) informally. In Japanese, it's typically two sets of three dots (……).
「そうですね…」と彼は言った。
"Well..." he said.
Describing a pattern of repeated dots, especially in fashion or design.
The most common term for polka-dot pattern. Literally 'water drop pattern'.
水玉模様のワンピース。
A polka-dot dress.
Also means polka-dot pattern, using the loanword 'dot'. Common in fashion.
ドット柄のスカートが可愛い。
The polka-dot skirt is cute.
Referring to the activity of connecting numbered dots to form a picture.
The standard term for 'connect the dots' puzzles.
子供が点つなぎをしている。
The child is doing a connect-the-dots.
Referring to the dot in domain names or email addresses.
Used when reading out URLs or email addresses. Often pronounced as 'dot' in Japanese.
exampleドットcom
example dot com
Sometimes used in formal contexts, but ドット is more common for internet addresses.
アドレスは info 点 example 点 jp です。
The address is info dot example dot jp.
点 (てん) is the native Japanese word for a dot or point, used in everyday contexts like drawing a dot or a decimal point. ドット is a loanword from English, often used in technical fields (pixels, dot matrix) and in fashion (polka dots). For internet addresses, ドット is standard.
While 点 means dot, the pattern 'polka dots' is almost always 水玉模様 or ドット柄. Saying 点柄 (てんがら) is not standard and may not be understood.
画面のドットが小さすぎる。
The dots on the screen are too small.
彼女は小さな水玉模様のブラウスを着ていた。
She wore a blouse with tiny dots.
点線に署名してください。
Please sign on the dotted line.