Translation guide
A sanitary napkin is an absorbent pad worn during menstruation. In Japanese, the most common term is 生理用ナプキン, often shortened to ナプキン in context. This guide covers everyday vocabulary, shopping phrases, and related expressions.
The most common, neutral way to refer to a sanitary napkin in Japanese.
The standard, polite term. Literally 'menstrual napkin'. Used in stores, packaging, and formal contexts.
生理用ナプキンを買わなければなりません。
I need to buy sanitary napkins.
Shortened form, very common in everyday conversation when the context is clear. Can also mean 'napkin' (table napkin), but usually understood as sanitary napkin in context.
ナプキン、持ってる？
Do you have a pad?
Informal terms used among friends or in casual settings.
Slightly more casual than 生理用ナプキン, but still common.
生理ナプキン、安いのを探してる。
I'm looking for cheap sanitary napkins.
Euphemism meaning 'that thing'. Used when the speaker wants to be discreet. Very context-dependent.
ちょっとアレを買ってきてくれる？
Can you buy me, you know, that thing?
Common descriptors for different kinds of sanitary napkins.
Wings (literally 'with wings'). Used to describe pads with side flaps.
羽つきのナプキンが好きです。
I like pads with wings.
For heavy flow days. 多い日 means 'heavy day'.
多い日用のナプキンをください。
Please give me pads for heavy days.
For light flow days.
少ない日用のナプキンに変えました。
I switched to pads for light days.
Long-lasting / overnight pads.
長時間用のナプキンは夜に便利です。
Long-lasting pads are convenient at night.
Useful phrases for buying or asking for sanitary napkins.
General term for menstrual products (pads, tampons, etc.). Often used in store signs or when asking where they are.
生理用品はどこにありますか？
Where are the menstrual products?
To change a pad. 替える means 'to change/replace'.
ちょっとナプキンを替えてきます。
I'm going to go change my pad.
The word ナプキン alone can mean both 'sanitary napkin' and 'table napkin'. Context usually makes it clear, but in a restaurant, ナプキン means a cloth or paper napkin. To be specific, use 生理用ナプキン.
If you want to be discreet, you can say 生理用品 (menstrual products) or simply point and say あれ (that thing). Many stores put sanitary products in plain paper bags at checkout.