Translation guide
The English word 'wallpaper' can refer to decorative paper for walls, or a digital background image. In Japanese, different words are used for physical wallpaper and digital wallpaper. This guide covers both meanings.
The material used to cover and decorate interior walls.
The standard word for physical wallpaper. Literally 'wall paper'.
The background image on a computer desktop or mobile device screen.
The word 壁紙 (かべがみ) is used for both physical and digital wallpaper. If you need to be specific, you can say 本物の壁紙 (ほんもののかべがみ, real wallpaper) for physical, or パソコンの壁紙 (パソコンのかべがみ, computer wallpaper) for digital.
壁紙を貼り替える。
I will replace the wallpaper.
この壁紙のデザインが気に入った。
I liked the design of this wallpaper.
Also used for digital wallpaper. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
デスクトップの壁紙を変更する。
Change the desktop wallpaper.
スマホの壁紙をお気に入りの写真にした。
I set my favorite photo as my phone wallpaper.
Specifically refers to the standby screen or lock screen image on a mobile phone. More common in mobile contexts.
待ち受け画面を変えたい。
I want to change my lock screen wallpaper.
Literally 'background image'. A more technical term, used in software settings or descriptions.
背景画像を設定してください。
Please set the background image.