Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'generic name' is expressed through words meaning 'common name', 'general term', or 'placeholder name', depending on context. This guide covers how to refer to non-specific names, placeholder names, and general terms.
これの一般名は何ですか？
What is the generic name for this?
山田太郎のような仮名を使ってください。
Use a generic name like 'Taro Yamada'.
To refer to a name that is not specific or proper, like a common noun or a generic term for something.
Literally 'general name'. Used for common nouns or non-proprietary names, especially in technical or formal contexts.
この薬の一般名はアセトアミノフェンです。
The generic name of this medicine is acetaminophen.
Means 'common name' or 'ordinary name'. Used in everyday language to refer to a non-specific name.
それは普通名で、特定のブランドではありません。
That's a generic name, not a specific brand.
Means 'generic term' or 'collective name'. Used when a word refers to a whole category.
「家具」はテーブルや椅子などの総称です。
'Furniture' is a generic name for tables, chairs, etc.
Means 'common name' or 'popular name', often used for nicknames or widely known aliases.
この植物の通称は「サボテン」です。
The generic name for this plant is 'cactus'.
To refer to a name used as a placeholder when the actual name is unknown or irrelevant, such as 'John Doe' or 'Widget'.
Means 'temporary name' or 'pseudonym'. Used for placeholder names in forms or examples.
申込書には仮名で「山田太郎」と記入してください。
Please write a generic name like 'Taro Yamada' on the application form.
In Japanese, placeholder names often use very common surnames like 山田 (Yamada) or 佐藤 (Sato) with a generic given name like 太郎 (Taro) or 花子 (Hanako).
例えば、山田太郎という名前を使います。
For example, we use the generic name 'Taro Yamada'.
In written Japanese, circles (〇〇) or crosses (XX) are often used as placeholders for names, similar to 'XXX' in English.
名前の部分は〇〇と書いてください。
Please write 'XX' for the name part.
To refer to a product that is not a specific brand, like 'generic drug' or 'store brand'.
Loanword from English 'generic', commonly used for generic drugs or unbranded products.
ジェネリック医薬品は安いです。
Generic drugs are cheap.
Means 'no brand' or 'unbranded'. Used for generic consumer goods.
Abbreviation for 'private brand product', i.e., store brand. Common in retail contexts.
このスーパーのPB商品はお買い得です。
This supermarket's generic brand products are a good deal.
一般名 (ippanmei) is used for a single generic name, like a common noun. 総称 (soushou) is a collective term for a group. For example, 'dog' is 一般名, while 'animal' is 総称 for dogs, cats, etc.
「犬」は一般名で、「動物」は総称です。
'Dog' is a generic name, and 'animal' is a generic term.
Directly translating 'generic name' as ジェネリックネーム is not natural. Use context-appropriate terms like 一般名, 総称, or 仮名.
仮名を入力してください。
Please enter a generic name.
これはただの仮名で、実在の人物ではありません。
This is just a generic name, not a real person.
A traditional Japanese placeholder name, similar to 'John Doe'. Used in stories or casual speech.
犯人は名無しの権兵衛として報道された。
The culprit was reported as a generic name, 'Nanashi no Gonbei'.
This generic brand product is good quality.