アニメーション
animēshon[a̠ɲ̟ime̞ːɕõ̞ɴ]
The English word 'animation' is translated into Japanese as アニメーション (animēshon). Wiktionary also lists アニメ.
Meaning: causing images to appear to move (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| アニメーション | animēshon | [a̠ɲ̟ime̞ːɕõ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| アニメ | [a̠ɲ̟ime̞] (narrow) |
The term refers to the process of causing images to appear to move. While the word 映像 can be used to describe any kind of visual content, including animation, the specific term for the medium is アニメーション.
Which one should you use?
アニメーション refers to the technical process or the medium of animation. In contrast, アニメ is the common shorthand used to refer to animated works or the Japanese animation style.
How do you pronounce it?
animēshon
Did you know?
- While many people assume アニメ refers to the French word 'animé', it is actually a shortened version of the English-derived word アニメーション.
- Japanese animation is often discussed using the term 作画 to refer specifically to the quality of the drawing and movement in an アニメ.
- Because アニメーション is a loanword, it is written in Katakana, which distinguishes it from native Japanese words or words of Chinese origin.
Examples in context
- スウェーデンのアニメ業界が抱える一番の問題は、そもそもスウェーデンのアニメ業界というものが存在しないことである。The problem with the Swedish animation industry is that it is, by and large, nonexistent.This sentence is useful for seeing how to refer to the animation industry using アニメ.Tatoeba #2000305 by tommy_san, translation #2000288 by Ooneykcall
- ふたりはアニメーションの専門学校で知り合った。The two met each other at a vocational college for animation.This sentence shows the use of アニメーション in a vocational context.Tatoeba #1110583 by mookeee, translation #2140482 by AnneWy
- アニメが大好きです。I love animation.
- 最新のアニメ映画は本当に面白かったです。The latest animated movie was really interesting.
- このアニメーションは動きがとても滑らかだ。Kono animēshon wa ugoki ga totemo nameraka da.The animation in this is very smooth.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a project for their art class.
- 健太 Kenta結衣は、課題にアニメーションを使う予定？Yui wa, kadai ni animēshon o tsukau yotei?Yui, are you planning to use animation for the assignment?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、短いアニメーションを作ってみるよ。Un, mijikai animēshon o tsukutte miru yo.Yes, I'm going to try making a short animation.
- 健太 Kentaそれは面白そうだね。応援してるよ。Sore wa omoshirosō da ne. Ōen shiteru yo.That sounds interesting. I'm rooting for you.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう、健太。頑張るね。Arigatō, Kenta. Ganbaru ne.Thanks, Kenta. I'll do my best.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “animation” translations and entries アニメーション, アニメ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
