Translation guide
The English word "orientation" covers several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical categories for Japanese learners.
Expressing the direction something faces, its position relative to surroundings, or how it is aligned.
General word for direction, orientation, or facing. Often used in compounds.
This room faces south.
風向きが変わった。
The wind direction changed.
Direction, course, or orientation in a more abstract or navigational sense.
方向感覚を失った。
I lost my sense of direction.
正しい方向に進んでいますか？
Are we heading in the right direction?
Compass direction; cardinal point. More specific than 方向.
方角を確認してください。
Please check the compass direction.
Referring to a person's sexual identity or preference.
Standard term for sexual orientation. Formal and neutral.
性的指向による差別は禁止されています。
Discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited.
A program or session to familiarize someone with a new environment, job, or school.
Direct loanword, widely understood for orientation programs.
新入生オリエンテーションは来週です。
The freshman orientation is next week.
Information session or briefing. Often used for company or school orientations.
Guidance or orientation session, especially in academic settings.
A person's basic beliefs, political leanings, or worldview.
Inclination, orientation, or tendency. Often used in compounds.
彼は左派志向だ。
He has a left-wing orientation.
Orientation or direction of interest. Similar to 志向 but more about aim or focus.
Standpoint or position. More general, but can convey ideological orientation.
Whether something is in portrait or landscape mode, or its rotational alignment.
Portrait orientation (vertical).
スマホを縦向きにしてください。
Please hold your phone in portrait orientation.
Landscape orientation (horizontal).
横向きで写真を撮る。
Take a photo in landscape orientation.
Screen orientation, literally "direction of the screen".
画面の向きをロックする。
Lock the screen orientation.
Both are read しこう, but 志向 is about personal inclination or aspiration, while 指向 is about directional focus or aim. For sexual orientation, use 性的指向, not 性的志向.
オリエンテーション is common for orientation programs, but in formal business settings, 説明会 or 研修 may be preferred.
Loanword from English, used in casual or modern contexts.
自分のセクシュアリティについて話すのは難しい。
It's hard to talk about my sexuality.
入社説明会に参加した。
I attended the company orientation.
There is a course registration orientation.
Peace-oriented policy.
His political orientation is unclear.