サイバー
saibā
The Japanese word for "cyber" is サイバー (saibā).
The term is a loanword from English and is frequently used as a prefix in compound nouns related to digital security, crime. For example, you can use サイバーセキュリティ for "cyber security" and サイバー攻撃 (saibā kōgeki) for "cyberattack".
What does it mean word for word?
The word サイバー is a loanword from English, written in Katakana, which is the Japanese script used for foreign-derived terms.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to describe the digital realm or cyberspace, it is common to pair this word with 空間 (kūkan, meaning space) to form サイバー空間 (saibā kūkan).
How do you pronounce it?
saibā
Did you know?
- If you are reading a classic sci-fi novel or watching an older anime, you might see the term 電脳 (dennō) instead of the modern loanword サイバー. This term literally translates to 'electric brain' and was the standard way to express 'cyber' before the English loanword became popular.
- In Japan, 'cyber' as a standalone adjective is rare. Unlike English, where something can be described as 'cyber', in Japanese it almost always acts as a prefix to a specific noun like 'security' or 'attack'.
- While サイバー is used for security and crime, the term ネット (netto) is far more common in casual conversation to describe the digital world. A Japanese person might describe 'cybercrime' as サイバー犯罪 but 'surfing the web' as ネットサーフィン.
Examples in context
- サイバー攻撃に注意してください。Saibā kōgeki ni chūi shite kudasai.Please be careful of cyber attacks.
- サイバー空間のセキュリティが重要です。Saibā kūkan no sekyuriti ga jūyō desu.Cyber space security is important.
- 最近、サイバー犯罪が増えています。Saikin, saibā hanzai ga fuete imasu.Cybercrime has been increasing lately.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing online safety at a cafe.
- 健太 Kenta最近、サイバー攻撃のニュースをよく見るね。Saikin, saibā kōgeki no nyūsu o yoku miru ne.I see news about cyber attacks often lately.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に。パスワードの管理も大切だよ。Hontō ni. Pasuwādo no kanri mo taisetsu dayo.Really. Managing passwords is also important.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さんは、セキュリティ対策してる？Misaki-san wa, sekyuriti taisaku shiteru?Misaki, are you taking security measures?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、二段階認証を使っているよ。Un, nidankai ninshō o tsukatte iru yo.Yes, I use two-step verification.
