マーク
māku[ma̠ːkɯ̟]
The English word 'mark' can be translated into Japanese as マーク (māku) or 標識.
Meaning: indication for reference or measurement (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| マーク | māku | [ma̠ːkɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 標識 | hyōshiki | [ço̞ːɕikʲi] (narrow) |
マーク is used to refer to symbols, icons or graphic marks. In everyday conversation, this katakana form is the most common way to describe a specific symbol or a graphic mark.
Which one should you use?
While マーク refers to a specific symbol or graphic mark, 標識 is used for physical signs, such as road signs or official indicators.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
māku
When do people say it?
In casual Japanese, specific punctuation marks are often described using descriptive names: a question mark is called はてなマーク (literally 'question mark') and an exclamation mark is called びっくりマーク (literally 'surprise mark').
Did you know?
- While マーク is used for symbols, the word 印 (shirushi) can refer to a 'mark' in the sense of a sign of fate or a spiritual omen.
- In Japanese sports culture, a 'mark' (marking a player) is expressed as マークする, using the English word as a verb to describe defensive positioning.
- Japanese has a specific term 目印 (mejirushi), meaning 'eye-mark', used for a physical landmark used to find one's way.
Examples in context
- はてなマークは句読点です。A question mark is a punctuation mark.This sentence shows how to refer to a question mark using マーク.Tatoeba #8697959 by small_snow, translation #8419940 by AlanF_US
- びっくりマークは句読点です。An exclamation mark is a punctuation mark.This sentence shows how to refer to an exclamation mark using マーク.Tatoeba #8697957 by small_snow, translation #8419961 by AlanF_US
- このマークはどういう意味なの？What does this mark mean?This sentence shows how to ask about the meaning of a symbol using マーク.Tatoeba #10970878 by bunbuku, translation #60275 by CK
- こんにちは、マークさん。お久しぶりですね。Hello, Mark. It's been a while, hasn't it?
- マーク様、お目にかかれて光栄です。Honored to meet you, Mark.
- おい、マークくん、遊びに行かない？Hey, Mark, wanna go hang out?
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are looking at a map in the park.
- 健太 Kentaここに赤いマークがあるよ。Koko ni akai māku ga aru yo.There is a red mark here.
- 陽葵 Himariそれは出口のマークだよ。Sore wa deguchi no māku da yo.That is the mark for the exit.
- 健太 Kentaあ、本当だ。助かったよ。A, hontō da. Tasukatta yo.Oh, you're right. That helps.
- 陽葵 Himariよし、あっちに行こう。Yoshi, acchi ni ikō.Okay, let's go that way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mark” translations and entries マーク, 標識, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
