Translation guide
Describes something beyond ordinary experience, especially in philosophy or spirituality. In Japanese, this is often expressed through specific philosophical terms, religious concepts, or descriptive phrases.
Referring to concepts that exist beyond the physical world and human experience, often in philosophy (e.g., Kantian transcendental).
Standard term in philosophy for 'transcendental', especially in the context of Kant's transcendental idealism. Used in academic and formal writing.
カントの超越論的観念論は西洋哲学に大きな影響を与えた。
Kant's transcendental idealism had a major influence on Western philosophy.
More general term meaning 'transcendent' or 'transcendental', used in philosophy and theology to describe something beyond the limits of ordinary experience.
神は超越的な存在だと考えられている。
God is considered a transcendental being.
Specifically refers to 'a priori' or 'transcendental' in Kantian philosophy, emphasizing knowledge independent of experience. Rare outside specialized contexts.
先験的範疇は経験を可能にする条件である。
Transcendental categories are the conditions that make experience possible.
Relating to a spiritual realm beyond the material world, often in religious or meditative contexts.
Commonly used to describe spiritual transcendence, such as transcending the ego or worldly desires.
瞑想を通じて超越的な意識状態に達した。
Through meditation, I reached a transcendental state of consciousness.
Literally 'beyond this world', a more descriptive and accessible phrase for spiritual transcendence.
彼の作品には、この世を超えた美しさがある。
His works have a transcendental beauty.
Specifically refers to 'enlightenment' or 'spiritual awakening' in Buddhism, a state of transcendental understanding. Use only in Buddhist contexts.
Describing something extremely abstract, difficult to understand, or beyond normal human comprehension.
Means 'beyond understanding'. A natural way to express that something is transcendental in the sense of being incomprehensible.
宇宙の広がりは理解を超えている。
The vastness of the universe is transcendental.
Literally 'beyond human knowledge'. Often used for divine or cosmic mysteries.
その現象は人知を超えたものだった。
The phenomenon was transcendental.
In mathematics, referring to numbers that are not algebraic, such as π or e.
The standard mathematical term for 'transcendental number'.
円周率は超越数である。
Pi is a transcendental number.
Directly translating 'transcendental' as 超越的 (chōetsuteki) may sound overly technical or philosophical in everyday conversation. Use descriptive phrases like 理解を超えた (rikai o koeta) for general contexts.
超越的 (chōetsuteki) is a broader term for 'transcendent' in philosophy and spirituality. 超越論的 (chōetsuronteki) is specifically used for Kant's 'transcendental' philosophy. Do not confuse them in academic writing.
After years of training, he attained transcendental enlightenment.