Translation guide
A summons is an official order to appear somewhere, usually in a legal or formal context. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 召喚状 (shōkanjō) for a court summons, but the concept can also be expressed with verbs like 呼び出す (yobidasu) or nouns like 呼び出し (yobidashi). The choice depends on the formality and the nature of the summons.
An official document ordering someone to appear in court.
The standard term for a court summons. It is a formal, written document.
裁判所から召喚状が届いた。
I received a summons from the court.
彼は証人として召喚状を受け取った。
He received a summons as a witness.
The act of summoning, often used in legal contexts. Can be used as a noun or verb (召喚する).
裁判官は証人を召喚した。
The judge summoned the witness.
A formal order to appear, often used in legal or official contexts. More specific than 召喚状.
警察は彼に出頭命令を出した。
The police issued a summons for him to appear.
A call or request to come to a place, often from an authority figure.
A general term for a summons or call to appear. Can be used in workplaces, schools, or by authorities.
上司から呼び出しがあった。
I got a summons from my boss.
彼は校長室に呼び出しを受けた。
He was summoned to the principal's office.
The verb form meaning 'to summon' or 'to call out'. Commonly used in everyday situations.
Polite form of 呼び出し, often used in customer service or formal announcements.
お客様、お呼び出しを申し上げます。
Paging a customer (literally: We are summoning you, honored guest).
Calling forth a creature or entity through magic or special power.
Used in fantasy and gaming contexts for summoning monsters, spirits, or allies. Also used as a verb (召喚する).
魔法使いはドラゴンを召喚した。
The wizard summoned a dragon.
召喚獣を呼び出す呪文を唱えた。
He chanted a spell to summon a familiar.
A more general verb for calling forth, also used in fantasy contexts.
召喚状 is specifically a legal document, while 呼び出し is a general summons or call to appear. Use 召喚状 for court orders and 呼び出し for everyday situations like being called to the boss's office.
裁判所からの召喚状を無視すると逮捕されることがある。
Ignoring a court summons can lead to arrest.
会議中に呼び出しがかかった。
I got a summons during the meeting.
English 'summons' implies obligation, not a request. In Japanese, 招待 (shōtai) means invitation. Do not use 招待 for a summons.
The teacher summoned me to the staff room.
彼は精霊を呼び出した。
He summoned a spirit.