漫画
mangwa[mã̠ŋɡa̠]
The Japanese word for comic is 漫画 (mangwa). Wiktionary also lists コミック (komikku) and コミックス (komikkusu).
Meaning: cartoon story (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 漫画 | mangwa | [mã̠ŋɡa̠] (narrow) |
| コミック | komikku | [ko̞mʲik̚kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| コミックス | komikkusu |
The term refers to cartoon stories and is used to describe all types of Japanese comics, including those traditionally drawn in black and white.
Which one should you use?
漫画 is the standard and most common term for comic books or manga in Japan. コミック is a loanword from English and is often used in specific contexts, such as in magazine titles or to provide a more modern or Westernized feel.
How do you pronounce it?
mangwa
Did you know?
- Before it meant 'comics', the characters for 漫画 were used to refer to a species of bird called the 'Eurasian spoonbill'.
Examples in context
- 漫画は読まないんだ。I don't read comic books.This sentence is useful for expressing that you do not read the form 漫画.Tatoeba #12508439 by bunbuku, translation #9628302 by CK
- 漫画喫茶を経営してます。I own a comic book store.This sentence is useful for mentioning a business that manages a 漫画 cafe.Tatoeba #10971899 by small_snow, translation #9027028 by Amastan
- 妹はずっと漫画を読んでるんだ。My sister is constantly reading comic books.This sentence is useful for describing a person who is constantly reading the form 漫画.Tatoeba #10795468 by bunbuku, translation #322340 by CK
- 漫画を読みます。I read manga.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking at a bookstore.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは、最近どんな漫画を読んでるの？Yui-san wa, saikin donna manga o yonderu no?Yui, what kind of manga are you reading lately?
- 結衣 Yuiこの新しい漫画がすごく面白いんだよ。Kono atarashii manga ga sugoku omoshiroi n da yo.This new manga is really interesting.
- 健太 Kentaへえ、僕も見せてくれる？Hee, boku mo misete kureru?Oh, can I see it too?
- 結衣 Yuiもちろん、健太君。Mochiron, Kenta-kun.Of course, Kenta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “comic” translations and entries 漫画, コミック, コミックス, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries コミック, コミックス, 漫画, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
