コロナウイルス
koronauirusu[ko̞ɾo̞na̠ɯ̟iɾɯ̟sɨ]
The English phrase coronavirus is translated into Japanese as コロナウイルス (koronauirusu). Wiktionary also lists コロナ (korona).
Meaning: member of the family Coronaviridae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| コロナウイルス | koronauirusu | [ko̞ɾo̞na̠ɯ̟iɾɯ̟sɨ] (narrow) | |
| コロナ | korona | [ko̞ɾo̞na̠] (narrow) | informal |
The term refers to a member of the family Coronaviridae.
Which one should you use?
The full technical term is コロナウイルス, while the shortened form コロナ is used in casual conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
コロナウイルス is the full technical term, whereas コロナ is an informal, shortened version. For more specific or formal contexts, 新型コロナウイルス is the standard way to refer to the novel coronavirus and コロナウイルス感染症 is a formal term used in Japan to refer to coronavirus infection.
How do you pronounce it?
koronauirusu
Did you know?
- Japanese media often used the term 自粛 alongside コロナ to describe the 'voluntary restraint' of going out, creating a social pressure not found in a direct translation of 'lockdown'.
- The term 新型コロナ uses the prefix 新 meaning 'new', which mirrors the English 'novel' but functions as a standard adjective for updated versions of products in Japan.
- While コロナ is the common shorthand for the virus, it is also the standard Japanese word for a 'corona' or crown in astronomy and solar physics.
Examples in context
- 最近コロナってヤバイっすね。The coronavirus has been scary recently, don't you think?This sentence shows how to use the informal コロナ.Tatoeba #9359721 by small_snow, translation #9399675 by DJ_Saidez
- コロナワクチンは打ってないです。I haven't had the vaccine for Coronavirus.This sentence uses the informal コロナ.Tatoeba #10701475 by small_snow, translation #10768147 by end
- 新型コロナウイルスの影響で、今年の祇園祭は中止になった。Due to the coronavirus, this year's Gion Festival was put on hold.This sentence uses the full term コロナウイルス.Tatoeba #8843599 by mochico, translation #9993016 by tsp_2
- 新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大に注意してください。Please be cautious about the spread of the new-type coronavirus.
- 最近、コロナの感染者が増えてるみたいだね。It seems like there has been an increase in coronavirus cases lately.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are talking about health precautions at school.
- 陽太 Yotaコロナウイルスに感染しないように気をつけよう。Koronauirusu ni kansen shinai you ni ki o tsukeyou.Let's be careful not to get infected with the coronavirus.
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね。しっかり手を洗おう。Sou da ne. Shikkari te o araou.You're right. Let's wash our hands thoroughly.
- 陽太 Yotaマスクもちゃんとつけようね。Masuku mo chanto tsukeyou ne.Let's make sure to wear masks too.
- 陽葵 Himariうん、陽太くんと一緒に気をつけるよ。Un, Youta-kun to issho ni ki o tsukeru yo.Yeah, I'll be careful along with you, Youta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coronavirus” translations and entries コロナウイルス, コロナ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
