Translation guide
A live broadcast of video and audio over the internet. In Japanese, the most common way to refer to this is the loanword ライブ配信, but other terms exist depending on context.
Referring to the act or content of broadcasting live over the internet, such as on YouTube, Twitch, or social media.
The most common and natural term for 'live stream' as a noun or the act of live streaming. Combines 'live' and 'broadcast/distribution'.
今夜8時にライブ配信を始めます。
I'll start a live stream at 8 PM tonight.
彼のライブ配信はいつも面白い。
His live streams are always interesting.
Literally 'live broadcast'. Slightly more formal or written than ライブ配信, but still common. Often used by media companies.
イベントの生配信は明日の正午からです。
The live stream of the event starts at noon tomorrow.
Direct loanword from English. Used especially in technical contexts or platform names, but less common in everyday speech than ライブ配信.
このアプリでライブストリームを視聴できます。
You can watch live streams on this app.
Literally 'live broadcast'. Used mainly for traditional TV/radio, but can appear for internet streams in formal contexts.
その番組は生放送でお送りします。
The program will be broadcast live.
Describing the action of beginning a live broadcast.
The standard verb phrase for 'to do a live stream'.
週末にゲームのライブ配信をするつもりです。
I plan to do a game live stream on the weekend.
Short for ライブ配信する, meaning 'to stream'. Context usually makes it clear it's live.
今から配信します！
I'm going live now!
Verb form of 生配信. Slightly more formal.
明日の会議を生配信する予定です。
We plan to live stream tomorrow's meeting.
Describing the viewer's perspective of watching a live broadcast.
The most natural way to say 'watch a live stream'.
友達のライブ配信を見ています。
I'm watching my friend's live stream.
More formal, often used in written instructions or announcements.
生配信を視聴するには登録が必要です。
Registration is required to watch the live stream.
ライブ (live) is more casual and common in internet contexts, while 生 (なま) can sound slightly more formal or traditional. For most everyday situations, ライブ配信 is the safest choice.