Translation guide
How to express 'nominate' in Japanese, covering formal proposals, casual suggestions, and official appointments.
To officially suggest a person as a candidate for something like a job, prize, or election.
The most common and versatile word for 'nominate' in the sense of recommending someone for a position, award, or school. It implies a formal or semi-formal recommendation.
彼を会長に推薦します。
I nominate him for chairman.
She was nominated for the Nobel Prize.
Used when officially naming or designating someone for a specific role, often in formal settings like meetings, elections, or appointments. It emphasizes the act of naming the person.
議長は彼を後任に指名した。
The chairperson nominated him as successor.
彼は大統領候補に指名された。
He was nominated as a presidential candidate.
A loanword from English, commonly used in entertainment and awards contexts (e.g., film, music). It sounds modern and is widely understood.
その映画はアカデミー賞にノミネートされた。
The movie was nominated for an Academy Award.
To informally put forward someone's name for a job, duty, or position, often in everyday conversation.
Even in casual contexts, 推薦する works well. It can be used among friends or colleagues when suggesting someone for a task.
次のリーダーに田中さんを推薦するよ。
I nominate Mr. Tanaka for the next leader.
A casual, slangy verb meaning 'to recommend' or 'to back' someone, often used in fan culture (e.g., idol groups). It can imply 'nominate' in a very informal sense.
私は彼をリーダーに推す！
I nominate him for leader! (lit. I back him for leader)
To formally assign someone to a role, especially in government, business, or organizations, where the person is chosen rather than elected.
The standard term for 'appoint' or 'nominate' when someone is officially placed in a position by an authority. It implies a binding decision.
大統領は彼を大使に任命した。
The president nominated him as ambassador. (i.e., appointed him)
彼女は新しい部長に任命された。
She was nominated as the new department head.
Overlaps with 任命する but often used when the nomination is announced or designated, especially in formal proceedings. It can also imply a nomination that requires confirmation.
首相は新しい大臣を指名した。
The prime minister nominated a new minister.
推薦 (suisen) is a recommendation, often with the nuance of endorsing someone's qualities. 指名 (shimei) is the act of naming or designating someone, often in a formal setting like a meeting. 任命 (ninmei) is an official appointment, usually by a person in authority, and is binding. For awards and prizes, 推薦 or ノミネート are most natural. For political candidates, 指名 is common. For job appointments, 任命 is standard.
彼を議長に推薦します。
I recommend/nominate him for chairperson.
議長は彼を後任に指名した。
The chair designated/nominated him as successor.
社長は彼を部長に任命した。
The president appointed him as department head.