ドッペルゲンガー
dopperugengā[do̞p̚pe̞ɾɯ̟ɡẽ̞ŋɡa̠ː]
The English phrase "doppelganger" can be translated into Japanese as ドッペルゲンガー (dopperugengā).
In Japanese, ドッペルゲンガー is a loanword used to refer to a person's look-alike or a supernatural double, mirroring how the word is used in English.
Meaning: remarkably similar double (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ドッペルゲンガー is a loanword, you can also use the idiomatic expression 瓜二つ to describe two people who look remarkably similar, often serving as a more native-sounding alternative. If you want to describe a simply "similar-looking person," you can use the phrase 似てる人.
How do you pronounce it?
dopperugengā
Did you know?
- The native phrase 瓜二つ (uri futatsu) literally translates to 'two halves of a melon'. It describes two people so identical that they appear to have been carved from the same fruit.
- In Japanese pop culture, ドッペルゲンガー often carries a more sinister, omen-like connotation than the English 'look-alike', frequently implying that seeing one's double is a sign of death.
- While ドッペルゲンガー is used for look-alikes, Japanese folklore has its own concept of the 分身, a spirit-double that can leave the body to perform tasks elsewhere.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Daito are looking at a photo of a stranger.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、この人、大翔にそっくりじゃない？Mite, kono hito, Daito ni sokkuri janai?Look, doesn't this person look exactly like you, Daito?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。まるでドッペルゲンガーだな。Hontō da. Marude dopperugengā da na.You're right. He's like a doppelganger.
- 陽葵 Himariちょっと怖いくらいに似ているね。Chotto kowai kurai ni nite iru ne.They look similar to a scary degree.
- 大翔 Hirotoどこに住んでいる人なんだろう。Doko ni sunde iru hito nan darō.I wonder where this person lives.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ドッペルゲンガー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
