Translation guide
The English word "tag" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical labels and children's games to digital metadata and idiomatic phrases. This guide organizes the most common and useful meanings for English-speaking learners of Japanese.
A small piece of paper, plastic, etc., attached to an item to show its price, brand, or other information.
Specifically a price tag. The most common word for a tag showing the price of an item in a store.
このシャツの値札を取ってください。
Please remove the price tag from this shirt.
A loanword from English, used for various kinds of tags, including clothing tags with care instructions or brand labels. Often seen in fashion contexts.
服のタグに洗濯表示が書いてある。
The care symbols are written on the clothing tag.
A hanging tag, often attached with a string. Used for items like luggage or gifts. Less common in daily conversation.
スーツケースに下げ札をつけてください。
Please attach a tag to your suitcase.
A children's chasing game where one person is 'it' and tries to touch others.
The standard Japanese name for the game of tag. Literally 'playing demon'.
子供たちは公園で鬼ごっこをして遊んだ。
The children played tag in the park.
The verb phrase meaning 'to play tag'.
放課後、みんなで鬼ごっこをしよう。
Let's play tag after school.
A keyword or label attached to digital content (e.g., blog posts, social media) for categorization.
The direct loanword used in all digital contexts. Same as the physical tag word, but context makes it clear.
このブログ記事にタグを追加してください。
Please add tags to this blog post.
Specifically a hashtag used on social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram.
To identify or mention someone in a social media post or photo.
The standard verb for tagging someone on social media. A combination of 'tag' and 'attach'.
この写真に友達をタグ付けしてもいい？
Can I tag my friend in this photo?
A more general phrase meaning 'to attach a tag', also used for digital tagging.
投稿に位置情報のタグをつけた。
I tagged the post with the location.
To follow someone closely, often secretly or persistently.
To tail or shadow someone, often with a nuance of surveillance or investigation.
探偵は容疑者を尾行した。
The detective tagged the suspect.
A casual verb meaning 'to follow' or 'to tail'. Often used in everyday speech.
あの男がずっと私をつけてくる。
That man keeps tagging along behind me.
Literally 'to attach to the back', meaning to follow closely.
誰かに後をつけられている気がする。
I feel like someone is tagging along behind me.
To physically attach a tag or label to something.
The most direct translation for attaching a physical tag.
プレゼントにタグをつけてください。
Please tag the present.
Using the native word 'fuda' (label/tag) instead of the loanword. Slightly more formal or traditional.
荷物に宛先の札をつける。
Tag the luggage with the destination.
A stylized signature or symbol used in graffiti.
The same loanword is used for graffiti tags. Context distinguishes it from other meanings.
壁に落書きのタグがいくつもある。
There are several graffiti tags on the wall.
A short phrase added to the end of a statement to turn it into a question, like 'isn't it?' in English.
Japanese uses sentence-final particles like ね (seeking agreement) or よね (seeking confirmation) to function similarly to English question tags.
今日は暑いですね。
It's hot today, isn't it?
あなたは学生ですよね。
You're a student, aren't you?
A casual pattern equivalent to '..., right?' or '..., isn't it?'. Used in informal speech.
この映画、面白いじゃない？
This movie is interesting, isn't it?
While 'tag' is used for many meanings, the children's game is always '鬼ごっこ' (onigokko). Using 'タグ' for the game will not be understood.
The loanword 'タグ' is extremely versatile. It can mean a physical tag, a digital tag, or a graffiti tag. The meaning is usually clear from the situation, but if you need to be specific, use compounds like '値札' (price tag) or 'ハッシュタグ' (hashtag).
この写真に「#旅行」というハッシュタグをつけた。
I added the hashtag '#travel' to this photo.