Translation guide
The English word "flag" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a piece of cloth as a symbol, to mark or highlight something for attention, to lose energy or enthusiasm, and a flagstone. It also touches on specialized uses like a flag in computing or a plant.
A piece of cloth with a design, used as a symbol of a country, organization, or to give a signal.
The most common and general word for a flag. Used for national flags, signal flags, and decorative flags.
日本の旗は白地に赤い丸です。
The Japanese flag is a red circle on a white background.
彼らは旗を振って応援した。
They waved flags and cheered.
Specifically a national flag. Use this when you want to be clear you're talking about a country's flag.
オリンピックでは各国の国旗が掲げられる。
At the Olympics, the national flags of each country are displayed.
A long, narrow banner or streamer, often used in traditional Japanese festivals or outside shops for advertising. Not a general flag.
店の前に幟が立っている。
There is a banner standing in front of the shop.
To draw attention to something, often as a warning or reminder, or to mark something for special treatment.
A loanword phrase used in IT and gaming contexts to mean setting a flag (a marker or indicator). Also used metaphorically in everyday speech to mean triggering a certain situation or foreshadowing an event.
その発言が死亡フラグを立てた。
That remark raised a death flag (foreshadowed a character's death).
システムでエラーフラグを立てる。
Set an error flag in the system.
A general phrase meaning to mark or put a mark on something. Can be used for physically marking an item or highlighting text.
重要な箇所に印をつけてください。
Please mark the important parts.
To call attention to something, to alert. More formal and often used in warnings or official contexts.
この問題に注意を促す必要がある。
We need to flag this issue.
A landmark or marker used as a guide. Can be a physical object or a visual cue.
To become tired, weak, or less enthusiastic.
To decline in strength, energy, or vigor. Can be used for physical strength, enthusiasm, or momentum.
午後になると集中力が衰えてきた。
My concentration flagged in the afternoon.
To become dull, slack, or lose intensity. Often used for conversations, performances, or moods.
会議がだれてきた。
The meeting started to flag.
To lose momentum or steam. A common phrase for when something slows down or loses its initial energy.
運動会も午後には勢いがなくなった。
The sports day flagged in the afternoon.
A flat stone used for paving.
A variable or indicator in programming that signals a condition.
The standard loanword for a flag in computing and programming contexts.
このフラグが立っているか確認してください。
Please check if this flag is set.
A type of plant, such as an iris or sweet flag.
Sweet flag (Acorus calamus), often associated with the Japanese Boys' Festival. Not a general term for all flag plants.
端午の節句には菖蒲湯に入る。
On Children's Day, we take a bath with sweet flag leaves.
The loanword for iris, which is sometimes called a flag in English. Use this for the flower.
The phrasal verb 'flag down' (e.g., a taxi) does not use 旗. Use 手を上げて止める (stop by raising your hand) or 呼び止める (call out to stop).
タクシーを手を上げて止めた。
I flagged down a taxi.
旗 (hata) is a general flag, usually rectangular and attached to a pole. 幟 (nobori) is a long, narrow banner, often with a sleeve for a pole, used in festivals or as shop signs. Don't use 幟 for national flags.
旗が風になびいていた。
The flag was fluttering in the wind.
審判が旗を上げた。
The referee raised a flag.
昼食後、元気が衰えた。
My energy flagged after lunch.
あの大きな木を目印にしてください。
Use that big tree as a flag (landmark).
石板で小道を作った。
We made a path with flagstones.
庭にアイリスが咲いている。
Irises are blooming in the garden.