Translation guide
The English word 'guild' refers to an association of people with a common interest or profession, historically for mutual aid and protection, and in modern contexts often for gaming or fantasy settings. In Japanese, the translation depends heavily on context: historical trade guilds, modern labor unions, or online gaming clans.
Referring to medieval or early modern associations of merchants or artisans.
Loanword from English, commonly used in historical or fantasy contexts. Understandable but may sound foreign.
中世ヨーロッパでは、ギルドが商業を支配していた。
In medieval Europe, guilds controlled commerce.
Literally 'same-trade association'. More formal and historically accurate for Japanese contexts.
江戸時代には、同業組合が職人の権利を守った。
In the Edo period, trade guilds protected the rights of craftsmen.
Historical term for medieval Japanese trade guilds, often with monopoly rights. Very specific to Japanese history.
室町時代の座は、特定の商品の販売を独占していた。
The za of the Muromachi period monopolized the sale of specific goods.
Referring to organizations that protect workers' rights or professional standards.
Standard term for labor union. Not exactly a 'guild' but the closest modern equivalent for worker associations.
彼は労働組合に加入して、賃上げを要求した。
He joined the labor union and demanded a wage increase.
General term for union or association. Can be used for various types of cooperatives, but less specific than 'guild'.
Referring to a group of players in an online game who regularly play together.
The most common term in gaming contexts. Directly borrowed from English.
新しいギルドに参加して、毎日レイドをしている。
I joined a new guild and do raids every day.
Also common in gaming, especially for competitive teams. Slightly more 'clan' nuance.
Generic 'team', used in gaming but less specific than guild/clan.
Referring to a fictional organization in fantasy settings where adventurers take quests.
Standard in Japanese fantasy and light novels. Often used as is.
冒険者ギルドでクエストを受注した。
I accepted a quest at the adventurer's guild.
Sometimes used in fantasy translations to give a more traditional feel, but less common than ギルド.
While ギルド is widely understood for historical or gaming contexts, using it for a modern labor union would sound odd. Use 労働組合 instead.
労働組合がストライキを計画している。
The labor union is planning a strike.
Both are used in online games, but ギルド often implies a larger, more casual group, while クラン suggests a competitive team, especially in FPS or strategy games. However, the distinction is blurry and game-dependent.
Professional association, often for licensed professions like doctors or lawyers. Closer to 'guild' in the sense of regulating a profession.
弁護士会は職能団体として弁護士の倫理を監督する。
The bar association, as a professional guild, oversees lawyers' ethics.
農業組合が農家を支援している。
The agricultural cooperative supports farmers.
His clan won the national tournament.
I discuss strategy with my team members on voice chat.
冒険者組合の受付で報酬を受け取った。
I received my reward at the reception desk of the adventurer's guild.