エピソード
episōdo[e̞pʲi̥so̞ːdo̞]
In Japanese, 'episode' can be translated as エピソード (episōdo) or 回.
Meaning: instalment of a drama told in parts (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| エピソード | episōdo | [e̞pʲi̥so̞ːdo̞] (narrow) |
| 回 | kai | [ka̠i] (narrow) [β̞a̠] (narrow) |
エピソード is a loanword used to refer to a specific anecdote or a story segment. In contrast, 回 is the counter used when counting the number of episodes (e.g., 10回 means 10 episodes).
Which one should you use?
エピソード is a loanword used to refer to a specific anecdote or a story segment, whereas 回 is the standard counter for numbered installments of a series.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'final episode' or 'series finale', use the term 最終回 (saishūkai).
How do you pronounce it?
episōdo
Did you know?
- The word 回 can be read as kai or mawari. While kai counts episodes, mawari refers to the physical act of turning or revolving.
- The kanji 回 was first attested in Japanese texts as early as 1116, long before the concept of television episodes existed.
- While エピソード refers to a story segment, it is frequently used in Japanese to mean a 'personal anecdote' or a 'small, interesting detail' about someone's life.
Examples in context
- でもほんとに、エピソード21には涙が出るほど笑ったよ。Seriously though, episode 21 made me almost cry while laughing.This sentence is useful for referring to a specific segment of a story using エピソード.Tatoeba #4871 by bunbuku, translation #1454 by wuiwie
- このアニメ、子供時代によく見てたんだけど、最終回で主人公がどうなったかの記憶があやふやなんだ。I used to watch this anime a lot when I was a kid, but I can't quite remember what happened to the hero in the final episode.This sentence demonstrates how to refer to a 'final episode' using 回.Tatoeba #1108280 by bunbuku, translation #1108355 by CK
- 「ねえねえ、『トムとメアリー』の最終回どうなった？」「結局別れちゃったの。まじ切なかった」「えー！ あんなに深く愛し合ってたのに」"Hey, what happened in the final episode of 'Tom and Mary'?" "They broke up, in the end. It was really bittersweet." "Oh my! And after being so deeply in love!"This sentence shows how to use 回 when asking about the outcome of a final episode.Tatoeba #2756941 by tommy_san, translation #2757541 by orcrist
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a TV series they are watching.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、このドラマの最新エピソード見た？Yui, kono dorama no saishin episōdo mita?Yui, did you see the latest episode of this drama?
- 結衣 Yuiまだ見てないよ。面白かった？Mada mite nai yo. Omoshirokatta?I haven't seen it yet. Was it interesting?
- 大翔 Hiroto最高だったよ！次への伏線がたくさんあったし。Saikō datta yo! Tsugi e no fukusen ga takusan atta shi.It was great! There were lots of foreshadows for the next one.
- 結衣 Yui気になる！今夜すぐにチェックするね。Ki ni naru! Konya sugu ni chekku suru ne.I'm curious! I'll check it out tonight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “episode” translations and entries エピソード, 回, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries エピソード, 回, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
