Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a prefix is expressed through various linguistic elements that attach to the beginning of words to modify meaning, show politeness, or form compounds. Unlike English, Japanese uses honorific prefixes, Sino-Japanese prefixes, and native prefixes, each with specific usage rules.
To make a word polite, respectful, or elegant by adding an honorific prefix, commonly used in formal or polite speech.
The most common honorific prefix, used with native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and some Sino-Japanese words. It adds politeness or respect, often used in everyday polite speech. It is written in hiragana as お.
Please have some tea.
お名前は何ですか。
What is your name?
The honorific prefix used primarily with Sino-Japanese words (on'yomi). It conveys respect and formality, similar to お but for words of Chinese origin.
ご意見をお聞かせください。
Please share your opinion.
ご家族はお元気ですか。
How is your family?
The kanji form of お/ご, used in very formal written contexts such as official documents or traditional letters. It is read as お or ご depending on the word.
御礼申し上げます。
I express my gratitude.
To indicate that something is previous, former, or ex-, often used with positions, titles, or states.
Attached to nouns to mean 'previous' or 'former', commonly used with titles and positions. Read as ぜん.
前社長が来ました。
The former president came.
前回の会議で決まりました。
It was decided at the previous meeting.
Means 'former' or 'ex-', often used for people who previously held a position or status. Read as もと.
元首相が講演した。
The former prime minister gave a lecture.
Means 'old' or 'former', used for things that have been replaced or are from a previous era, like systems, names, or buildings. Read as きゅう.
旧制度は廃止された。
The old system was abolished.
To express the idea of 'all', 'whole', or 'entire', often used with nouns indicating groups or collections.
Attached to nouns to mean 'all' or 'whole', as in 'all members' or 'whole country'. Read as ぜん.
全員が賛成した。
All members agreed.
全国的に知られている。
It is known nationwide.
Means 'total' or 'general', used in words like 'total amount' or 'general meeting'. Read as そう.
総額はいくらですか。
What is the total amount?
To indicate repetition or doing something again, similar to the English prefix 're-'.
Attached to verbs (often in their noun form) to mean 're-' or 'again'. Read as さい.
再確認してください。
Please reconfirm.
再利用が推奨されている。
Reuse is recommended.
To express partial or incomplete state, similar to 'semi-', 'half-', or 'sub-'.
Means 'half' or 'semi-', used in words like 'semicircle' or 'half price'. Read as はん.
半円を描いてください。
Please draw a semicircle.
半額セールをやっている。
They are having a half-price sale.
Means 'semi-', 'quasi-', or 'associate', used for things that are not full status, like 'semi-final' or 'associate member'. Read as じゅん.
準決勝に進出した。
They advanced to the semifinals.
To express opposition or being against something.
Means 'anti-' or 'opposite', used in words like 'anti-war' or 'opposite effect'. Read as はん.
反対意見を述べた。
He expressed an opposing opinion.
反戦運動に参加した。
I participated in the anti-war movement.
To negate or indicate absence of something.
Means 'non-', 'un-', or 'not', used to form negative nouns. Read as ひ.
Another negative prefix meaning 'un-', 'in-', or 'not', often used with Sino-Japanese adjectives and nouns. Read as ふ or ぶ.
Means 'without', 'no', or '-less', used to indicate absence. Read as む.
無料で利用できます。
You can use it for free (without charge).
To express an extreme degree or surpassing quality.
Means 'super-', 'ultra-', or 'hyper-', used colloquially and in technical terms. Read as ちょう.
超便利なアプリだ。
It's a super convenient app.
超音波検査を受けた。
I had an ultrasound examination.
While お and ご are common, not all words take them naturally. Some words have become fixed with the prefix (e.g., お茶), while others sound odd if you add them. When in doubt, listen to native usage or check a dictionary.
おビール
beer (with incorrect honorific)
前 (ぜん) is used for immediate predecessors in a sequence (e.g., 前社長 the previous president). 元 (もと) implies a former status that may be long past (e.g., 元大統領 former president). 旧 (きゅう) is used for old systems, names, or things that have been replaced (e.g., 旧姓 maiden name).
Many Japanese prefixes are single kanji that attach directly to other kanji to form compound words (e.g., 全国, 再確認). Learning common prefix kanji will greatly expand your vocabulary.
無意味な議論だった。
It was a meaningless discussion.