Translation guide
The English word "host" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: a person who entertains guests, a TV/event presenter, a large number, and a biological/technical host. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
Referring to the person who invites and looks after guests at a party, dinner, or event.
Most common for the organizer/host of an event or party. Neutral formality.
パーティーの主催者に感謝の気持ちを伝えた。
I expressed my gratitude to the host of the party.
Emphasizes the role of host, often in a social gathering. Slightly more formal/literary.
彼は夕食会の主人役を務めた。
He acted as the host of the dinner party.
Loanword from English, commonly used in casual contexts or for specific roles like a club host.
今夜のパーティーのホストは誰？
Who's the host of tonight's party?
Traditional term for a host, especially in a tea ceremony or inn. Also means 'husband' or 'master of the house'.
旅館の亭主が温かく迎えてくれた。
The host of the inn welcomed us warmly.
The person who introduces and talks to guests on a show, or leads an event.
Standard term for an MC or host of a formal event, show, or ceremony.
彼女はその番組の司会者として有名だ。
She is famous as the host of that program.
Can refer to the act of hosting or the host themselves. Often used as a noun.
Also used for TV/radio hosts, especially in casual speech or when the show title includes 'host'.
Focuses on the role of facilitating or moving the event along. Often used for panel discussions or workshops.
彼が会議の進行役を務めた。
He served as the host (facilitator) of the meeting.
Referring to a great many people or things.
Standard way to say 'a host of' meaning 'many'. Used in both formal and informal contexts.
彼は多数の問題に直面している。
He is facing a host of problems.
More casual and common in everyday speech. 'A lot of'.
庭にはたくさんの花が咲いている。
A host of flowers are blooming in the garden.
Emphasizes 'countless' or 'innumerable'. More literary.
夜空には無数の星が輝いていた。
A host of stars were shining in the night sky.
An organism that harbors a parasite, or a computer that provides services.
Biological host for a parasite or symbiont. Also used in a figurative sense.
このウイルスの自然宿主はコウモリだ。
The natural host of this virus is bats.
Used in computing (host computer, host server) and sometimes in biology as a loanword.
Alternative biological term for host, less common than 宿主.
この寄生虫は特定の寄主を必要とする。
This parasite requires a specific host.
主催者 is the most neutral and common for an event organizer. 主人役 emphasizes the role of hosting guests, often in a home or formal dinner. ホスト is a casual loanword, but be aware it can also mean a male companion at a host club.
Do not translate 'a host of' literally as ホストの. Use 多数の or たくさんの to mean 'many'.
Today's host is Mr. Tanaka.
The host of that talk show is funny, isn't he?
Please connect to the host computer.