Translation guide
How to talk about ear piercings in Japanese, including the act of piercing, the jewelry, and the body modification.
ピアスをしています。
I have pierced ears.
ピアスを開けたいです。
I want to get my ears pierced.
Referring to the pierced hole in the ear or the practice of having pierced ears.
The most common word for an ear piercing (the hole or the jewelry). Often used to mean 'pierced ears' in general.
ピアスを開けたい。
I want to get my ears pierced.
彼女はピアスをしている。
She has pierced ears.
Literally 'to open a hole in the ear'. A clear way to describe the act of piercing.
昨日、耳に穴を開けた。
I got my ears pierced yesterday.
Refers to clip-on or non-pierced earrings. Not a piercing, but sometimes confused. Use only for non-pierced ear jewelry.
Does not mean a piercing. Use ピアス for pierced ears.
ピアスが怖いのでイヤリングを買った。
I'm scared of piercings, so I bought clip-on earrings.
Referring to the earring or stud worn in a pierced ear.
Also means the earring itself. Context distinguishes between the hole and the jewelry.
新しいピアスを買った。
I bought new earrings.
そのピアス、かわいいね。
Those earrings are cute.
Again, only for non-pierced earrings. Not a piercing.
Describing the action of having one's ear pierced.
The standard way to say 'to get a piercing'. Literally 'to open a piercing'.
来週ピアスを開ける予定です。
I plan to get my ears pierced next week.
More literal, 'to open a hole in the ear'. Can be used for the act itself.
自分で耳に穴を開けるのは危ない。
It's dangerous to pierce your own ears.
These clip-on earrings don't hurt.