Translation guide
The process of becoming a citizen of a country, or the legal act of granting citizenship to a foreigner. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the noun 帰化 (kika), but related verbs and phrases are used depending on context.
To refer to the legal process of a foreigner becoming a citizen of a country.
The standard noun for naturalization. Used in legal and everyday contexts.
He naturalized in Japan.
帰化申請の手続きは複雑だ。
The naturalization application process is complicated.
The verb form meaning 'to naturalize' or 'to become a citizen through naturalization.'
彼女はアメリカに帰化するつもりだ。
She plans to naturalize in the United States.
Literally 'to acquire nationality.' A more general phrase that can include naturalization but also other ways of gaining citizenship.
彼は日本国籍を取得した。
He acquired Japanese nationality.
Literally 'to obtain citizenship.' Used more in contexts emphasizing rights and membership in a nation, often in translations or discussions of Western concepts.
移民は市民権を得るために長いプロセスを経なければならない。
Immigrants must go through a long process to obtain citizenship.
To refer to the act of a government granting citizenship to a foreigner.
Means 'to grant naturalization.' Used when the state approves the application.
政府は彼の帰化を認めた。
The government granted his naturalization.
Causative form meaning 'to make someone naturalize' or 'to naturalize someone.' Used when the state actively naturalizes a person.
その国は多くの移民を帰化させた。
The country naturalized many immigrants.
To refer to the adoption of foreign words, customs, or ideas into a new culture.
Can also be used metaphorically for the naturalization of loanwords or customs, but this usage is less common and often technical.
外来語の帰化には時間がかかる。
The naturalization of loanwords takes time.
Means 'to become established' or 'to take root.' More natural for describing how foreign words or customs become accepted.
その言葉は日本語にすっかり定着した。
That word has become completely naturalized in Japanese.
Means 'to assimilate.' Used when something foreign blends into the native culture.
その習慣は日本文化に同化した。
The custom became assimilated into Japanese culture.
While 帰化 specifically refers to naturalization (a foreigner becoming a citizen through legal process), 国籍取得 is a broader term that includes naturalization but also other ways of acquiring nationality, such as by birth or marriage. Use 帰化 when the process is specifically naturalization.