Translation guide
The English word 'migration' covers several distinct concepts in Japanese, from seasonal animal movement to human relocation and digital data transfer. The most common and natural translations depend heavily on the subject and context.
Seasonal or periodic movement of animals, birds, fish, etc.
The most common word for bird migration, also used for some fish and insects. Often used in compounds like 渡り鳥 (migratory bird).
ツバメの渡りは春の訪れを感じさせます。
The migration of swallows makes us feel the arrival of spring.
Specifically for fish or marine animals that migrate within the ocean, often in a circular route.
サケの回遊ルートはまだ完全には解明されていません。
The migration routes of salmon are not yet fully understood.
General word for movement, can be used for animal migration in broader contexts, but less specific than 渡り or 回遊.
気候変動が動物の移動パターンに影響を与えています。
Climate change is affecting animal migration patterns.
Movement of people from one place to another, often permanently, for settlement.
Refers to moving one's residence, often to another country or region, with the intention of settling there. Commonly used for immigration/emigration.
彼は仕事のためにカナダへの移住を決意しました。
He decided to migrate to Canada for work.
General term for movement of people, can be used for migration in a broader sense, but less specific about permanent settlement.
Specifically refers to immigration or emigrants. Often used in policy or demographic contexts. Note: 移民する is less common than 移住する for the act of migrating.
Moving data, software, or systems from one environment to another.
The standard term for transitioning systems, data, or processes to a new platform or version. Often used in IT contexts.
新しいサーバーへのデータ移行は来週行います。
The data migration to the new server will take place next week.
Temporary movement of workers, often for agricultural or seasonal jobs.
Refers to leaving one's home to work elsewhere temporarily, often in a different region. Strong connotation of manual labor or seasonal work.
彼は冬の間、スキーリゾートへ出稼ぎに行きます。
He goes to work at a ski resort during the winter (as a seasonal migrant worker).
移住 (いじゅう) implies permanent relocation and settlement. 移動 (いどう) is general movement, not necessarily permanent. 移民 (いみん) refers to the people who migrate or the phenomenon of immigration, but 移民する is less common than 移住する for the action.
彼は日本に移住した。
He migrated to Japan (and lives there now).
人々はより良い生活を求めて移動する。
People move/migrate in search of a better life.
For animal migration, do not use 移住 (いじゅう) or 移民 (いみん), as these are for humans. Use 渡り (わたり) for birds, 回遊 (かいゆう) for fish, or 移動 (いどう) for general animal movement.
Migration to urban areas continues.
In the 19th century, many Europeans migrated to America.
Loanword from English, commonly used in technical fields, especially software development and database management.
データベースのマイグレーションスクリプトを実行してください。
Please run the database migration script.