Translation guide
The English word 'native' can refer to a person's origin, a local inhabitant, a native language or speaker, or something indigenous. This guide helps learners express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
I'm a native of England.
Means 'born (in/on)'. Often used with a place or date. More casual than 出身.
彼女は大阪生まれです。
She is a native of Osaka.
Literally 'local person'. Used to refer to someone who is from a particular area, often in contrast to outsiders.
地元の人に道を聞きました。
I asked a native for directions.
Refers to indigenous or aboriginal people. Used in historical or anthropological contexts.
オーストラリアの先住民はアボリジニと呼ばれます。
The native people of Australia are called Aborigines.
To talk about one's mother tongue or someone who speaks a language from birth.
Means 'mother tongue' or 'native language'. Commonly used in linguistic contexts.
私の母語は日本語です。
My native language is Japanese.
Literally 'mother country language'. Similar to 母語 but emphasizes the country of origin.
Shortened form of ネイティブスピーカー. Very common in casual conversation.
To describe species that originate from a particular region.
Means 'endemic species'. Used in biology and ecology.
この島には多くの固有種が生息している。
This island is home to many native species.
Attach to a place name to mean 'native to ~' or 'originating in ~'. Common for plants and animals.
コアラはオーストラリア原産の動物です。
Koalas are animals native to Australia.
Means 'native species' as opposed to introduced or invasive species.
To describe a natural, inborn ability or quality.
Means 'by nature' or 'innate'. Used as an adverb or noun.
彼は生まれつきの才能がある。
He has native talent.
Means 'innate' or 'natural'. Often used for exceptional abilities.
Do not directly translate 'native' as ネイティブ when referring to a person's origin. Use 出身 or 生まれ instead. ネイティブ is only used for language speakers.
母語 (mother tongue) is the language you learn from birth, while 母国語 (mother country language) emphasizes the language of your home country. They often overlap but can differ (e.g., a person born in the US to Japanese parents may have 母語 as Japanese but 母国語 as English).
He spoke in his native English.
Loanword from English. Widely understood, especially in language learning contexts.
彼は英語のネイティブスピーカーです。
He is a native speaker of English.
あの先生はネイティブですか？
Is that teacher a native speaker?
在来種を守るための活動が行われている。
Activities are being carried out to protect native species.
彼女は天性の歌手だ。
She is a native singer.
Means 'congenital' or 'innate'. Often used in medical or psychological contexts.
その能力は先天的なものだ。
That ability is native.