Translation guide
The state of being widespread or common. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and verbs depending on whether you are talking about a general state, a trend, or something being rampant.
Describing that something is widespread, common, or prevalent in a neutral or statistical sense.
Refers to the spread or diffusion of something, often technology, ideas, or practices. Commonly used in formal and written contexts.
スマートフォンの普及率は年々上がっている。
The prevalence of smartphones is increasing year by year.
Often used for the spread of something negative, like disease or undesirable trends. Can sound alarming.
感染症の蔓延を防ぐために、手洗いが推奨されている。
Handwashing is recommended to prevent the prevalence of infectious diseases.
Refers to something being in fashion or an epidemic. Often used for trends, fads, or seasonal illnesses.
この冬はインフルエンザの流行が早かった。
The prevalence of influenza came early this winter.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'widely spread' or 'pervasive'. Natural in both spoken and written Japanese.
その迷信はまだ広く行き渡っている。
That superstition is still prevalent.
Expressing that something happens often or is commonly seen.
Means 'frequency'. Used with adjectives like 高い (high) to indicate prevalence in terms of how often something occurs.
この地域では地震の頻度が高い。
The prevalence of earthquakes is high in this region.
Literally 'often seen'. A very natural way to say something is prevalent or common.
この症状は子供によく見られる。
This symptom is prevalent among children.
Means 'frequent occurrence', often used for accidents, incidents, or problems.
Emphasizing that something undesirable is widespread or out of control.
Used for negative things like crime, corruption, or bad behavior being rampant.
この国では汚職が横行している。
Corruption is prevalent in this country.
Literally 'flood', metaphorically used for an overabundance of information, goods, or negative things.
A verb meaning 'to be rampant' or 'to overrun', often for weeds, crime, or negative influences. Slightly colloquial.
この町にはスリがはびこっている。
Pickpockets are prevalent in this town.
Referring to the proportion of a population affected by something, often in medical or academic contexts.
Medical/epidemiological term for prevalence rate of a disease.
この病気の有病率は人口の1%未満です。
The prevalence of this disease is less than 1% of the population.
Similar to 有病率 but often used for incidence or morbidity rate. More technical.
普及 (fukyū) is neutral and often positive, referring to the spread of beneficial things like technology or education. 蔓延 (man'en) is negative, used for diseases or harmful trends. 流行 (ryūkō) is for fads, fashion, or seasonal epidemics, and can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'prevalence'. Translating directly as 普及 or 蔓延 without considering nuance can sound unnatural. Choose the word that matches the specific context (e.g., frequency, spread, or rate).
An intersection where traffic accidents are prevalent.
インターネット上には誤情報が氾濫している。
Misinformation is prevalent on the internet.
インフルエンザの罹患率が上昇している。
The prevalence of influenza is rising.