Translation guide
The English word "minor" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: describing something small or not serious, referring to a person under legal age, and academic contexts like a minor subject. It also touches on music and niche uses.
Describing something of little importance, small in scale, or not serious.
Used for minor damage, changes, or problems. Often in formal or written contexts.
車に軽微な傷がついた。
The car got a minor scratch.
A general, everyday word for 'small' or 'minor'. Works for mistakes, problems, changes, etc.
小さなミスをした。
I made a minor mistake.
Means 'a slight' or 'a little'. Casual and common in speech. Often used for accidents, troubles, or gifts.
ちょっとした事故があった。
There was a minor accident.
A phrase meaning 'not a big deal' or 'minor'. Used to downplay something.
怪我は大したことないよ。
The injury is minor.
Means 'trivial' or 'minor'. Often used for details or matters. Slightly formal.
些細なことで喧嘩した。
We argued over a minor thing.
Referring to a person who is not yet an adult by law.
The standard legal term for a minor. Can be used as a noun or with の.
未成年の飲酒は禁止されている。
Drinking by minors is prohibited.
彼はまだ未成年だ。
He is still a minor.
A more formal or legal term for a minor person. Often used in official documents.
A secondary field of study in college or university.
The standard term for an academic minor. Used as a noun.
彼女は経済学を副専攻にしている。
She is minoring in economics.
Loanword from English, commonly used in university contexts. Often used with を取る or として.
Referring to a musical key or scale that sounds sad or serious.
Describing something of lower rank, status, or significance.
Means 'second-rate' or 'minor'. Often used for artists, writers, or teams.
彼は二流の詩人と見なされている。
He is considered a minor poet.
Loanword meaning 'minor' or 'not well-known'. Common for sports, entertainment, etc.
マイナーなスポーツを紹介する。
I'll introduce a minor sport.
While 小さい (chiisai) means 'small', it is not always the best translation for 'minor'. For importance or seriousness, use 軽微な or 小さな. For legal age, use 未成年. Using 小さい for a person's age can be confusing.
彼は小さい。
He is small. (physical size, not age)
未成年者の契約には親の同意が必要だ。
A minor's contract requires parental consent.
マイナーは何？
What's your minor?
マイナーな曲が好きだ。
I like songs in a minor key.