Translation guide
The English word "version" covers several distinct meanings. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether you mean a variant of a product, a retelling of a story, a translation, or a software release.
最新バージョンは何ですか？
What's the latest version?
英語版が欲しいです。
I want the English version.
You want to refer to a different model, edition, or variant of something, like a car, software, or document.
The most common and versatile loanword for 'version', used for software, products, documents, etc.
最新バージョンをダウンロードしてください。
Please download the latest version.
このアプリの旧バージョンはもう使えません。
The old version of this app is no longer usable.
A suffix meaning 'edition' or 'version', often used for publications, software, and numbered releases.
第2版が来月発売されます。
The second edition will be released next month.
限定版のフィギュアを予約した。
I pre-ordered the limited edition figure.
Used when emphasizing variety or different options within a product line, closer to 'variation'.
この車には色のバリエーションが5つあります。
This car comes in five color variations.
You want to talk about someone's side of a story, a different account of what happened.
Refers to one's own account or version of events, often in a dispute or explanation.
彼の言い分も聞いてみよう。
Let's hear his version of the story too.
A general word for 'explanation', can be used for someone's version of events.
Casual word for 'story' or 'account', often used in everyday conversation.
You want to refer to a specific language version of a book, movie, or other work.
Used for language editions, e.g., English version, Japanese version.
英語版の小説を読んだ。
I read the English version of the novel.
この映画の日本語吹き替え版はいつ出ますか？
When will the Japanese dubbed version of this movie be released?
Also common for language versions, especially in casual or technical contexts.
Specifically means 'translation', used when emphasizing the act of translating rather than the edition.
You want to talk about a specific release, update, or build of software.
The standard term for software versions.
バージョン2.0で多くのバグが修正されました。
Version 2.0 fixed many bugs.
Often used in formal or written contexts, like software edition.
最新版のOSにアップデートした。
I updated to the latest version of the OS.
Refers to a release, often used for a specific version that has been made public.
Both mean 'version', but バージョン is more common in casual and technical contexts (software, apps), while 版 is often used for formal editions, publications, and language versions. 版 can also mean 'edition' in a broader sense.
この本の初版は1980年です。
The first edition of this book was in 1980.
When talking about someone's version of a story, バージョン sounds unnatural. Use 言い分 or 説明 instead.
事故について、運転手の説明は食い違っている。
The driver's version of the accident is inconsistent.
彼の話だと、全然違うらしい。
According to his version, it's completely different.
日本語バージョンのサイトはまだ準備中です。
The Japanese version of the site is still under construction.
この翻訳版は原文のニュアンスをよく捉えている。
This translated version captures the nuance of the original well.
次のリリースでは新機能が追加される予定です。
New features will be added in the next release.