ライブストリーム
raibu sutorīmu
The English phrase 'live stream' in Japanese is translated as ライブストリーム (raibu sutorīmu). Wiktionary also lists ストリーム (sutorīmu) and ライブ (raibu).
Meaning: Internet broadcast (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ライブストリーム | raibu sutorīmu | |
| ストリーム | sutorīmu | |
| ライブ | raibu | [ɾa̠ibɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 生配信 | nama haishin | [na̠ma̠ha̠iɕĩɴ] (narrow) |
In Japanese, you can use the noun forms to refer to an internet broadcast. If you want to use 'live stream' as a verb (to live stream), you typically use the verb 配信する.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 生配信 is composed of 生 (nama), meaning 'live' or 'raw' and 配信 (haishin), meaning 'distribution' or 'broadcast'.
Which one should you use?
While ライブストリーム is a direct loanword from English, the native Japanese term 生配信 is more commonly used to describe the act of live streaming.
How do you pronounce it?
raibu sutorīmu
Did you know?
- In the context of live streams, Japanese users often use the word 凸 (totsu) to describe 'raiding' or calling into another person's stream unexpectedly.
- The character 生 (nama) used in 生配信 also means 'raw' and is found in 生ビール (nama bīru) for 'draft beer'. It literally describes something in its natural state, without being processed or recorded.
- Japanese streamers often use the phrase 生放送 (namahōsō) for professional TV-style live broadcasts, while 生配信 (namahaishin) is reserved for internet platforms.
Examples in context
- 彼の配信は生放送で行われます。His stream will be conducted as a live broadcast.
- 今夜、リアルタイム配信が始まりますので、お楽しみに！Tonight, the live stream will begin, so stay tuned!
- 友達が生配信をしているので、見てみましょう！My friend is doing a live stream, so let's check it out!
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about a gamer's broadcast.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、今のライブストリーム見た？Kenta, ima no raibusutorīmu mita?Kenta, did you see the live stream just now?
- 健太 Kentaううん、まだ見ていないよ。Ūn, mada mite inai yo.No, I haven't seen it yet.
- 美咲 Misakiすごく面白かったからおすすめだよ。Sugoku omoshirokatta kara osusume da yo.It was really interesting, so I recommend it.
- 健太 Kenta後でアーカイブで見るね。Ato de ākaibu de miru ne.I'll watch the archive later.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “live stream” translations and entries ライブ, 生配信, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
