図表
zuhyō[d͡zɨço̞ː]
The English word "chart" is translated into Japanese as 図表 (zuhyō).
図表 refers to a diagram or table that presents information in a visual manner.
Meaning: diagram (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 図 (zu), meaning figure or drawing and 表 (hyō), meaning table or chart.
Which one should you use?
While 図表 is a general term for diagrams and tables, it is more formal and academic than the more common word 図, which simply means "figure" or "illustration". For specific mathematical or statistical graphs, such as bar charts or line graphs, Japanese speakers more commonly use the loanword グラフ.
How do you pronounce it?
zuhyō
Did you know?
- In Japanese business culture, the physical layout of a 図表 is often more important than the data. 'Beautiful' slides with clean alignment are sometimes valued as a sign of the creator's professionalism and attention to detail.
- In Japanese, the word 表 (hyō) can also mean 'surface' or 'exterior' depending on the context. This creates a linguistic bridge between a 'table' of data and the 'outward' appearance of something.
- The character 図 (zu) used in 図表 is also the root for the word 地図 (chizu), which means 'map'. In Japanese, a map is conceptually treated as a specialized type of diagram.
Examples in context
- 私はこの グラフ を使用して結果を表すつもりです。I intend to use this chart to represent the results.
- この チャート はデータを視覚的に表現しています。This chart visually represents the data.
- この図表を見てください。Kono zuhyou o mite kudasai.Please look at this chart.
- 資料に新しい図表を追加しました。Shiryou ni atarashii zuhyou o tsuika shimashita.I added a new chart to the documents.
- その図表はとても分かりやすいです。Sono zuhyou wa totemo wakariyasui desu.That chart is very easy to understand.
Example conversation
Youta and Yui are reviewing study materials in a library.
- 陽太 Yotaこの図表の意味が分かりません。Kono zuhyou no imi ga wakarimasen.I don't understand the meaning of this chart.
- 結衣 Yui陽太くん、一緒に確認しましょう。Youta-kun, issho ni kakunin shimashou.Youta, let's check it together.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます、結衣さん。Arigatou gozaimasu, Yui-san.Thank you, Yui.
- 結衣 Yuiこの図表を見れば、すぐ分かりますよ。Kono zuhyou o mireba, sugu wakarimasu yo.If you look at this chart, you'll understand immediately.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 図表, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
