Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 原物 | genbutsu | |
| 原作 | gensaku | [ɡẽ̞ɰ̃sa̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 原文 | genbun | [ɡẽ̞mbɯ̟̃ɴ] (narrow) |
In Japanese, the translation for 'original' depends entirely on whether you are referring to a physical object, a creative work or a written text. Use 原物 for physical objects or raw materials, 原作 for the source of a creative work like a story or art and 原文 for an original written document or text. If you want to describe someone or something as being 'original' in the sense of being unique, you might use 独自 or if you mean being 'true to oneself', you can use the informal phrase 自分らしい. To describe something as fresh or creative, use 独創的な.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 原作 is composed of the characters 原 (source/origin) and 作 (work/production). The term 原文 is composed of the characters 原 (source/origin) and 文 (text/sentence).
Which one should you use?
The different forms are specialized: 原物 refers to a physical original object or the raw material itself. 原作 is used specifically for the original source of a creative work, such as a novel that is being adapted into a movie or anime. 原文 is used specifically when referring to the original written text or document, often in the context of translation.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
genbutsu
Did you know?
- In the anime and manga industry, the term 原作 is often used as a title for the original creator of a story, even if they did not draw the art themselves.
- The word 独創的 for 'original' contains the character 独, which also means 'alone' or 'single'.
- The character 原 in 原物 and 原作 also means 'field' or 'prairie' in other contexts, reflecting the idea of a raw, open starting point.
Examples in context
- 翻訳を原文と比べてみよう。Let's compare the translation with the original.This sentence is useful for comparing a translation to the original using 原文.Tatoeba #81448 by bunbuku, translation #322267 by CK
- その映画は原作ほどおもしろくない。The movie is not so interesting as the original.This sentence is useful for comparing a movie to the original work using 原作.Tatoeba #212258 by arnab, translation #49539 by adjusting
- この実写化は原作ファンも納得です。Fans of the original will also be satisfied with this live-action adaptation.This sentence is useful for discussing satisfaction with a live-action adaptation of the original work using 原作.Tatoeba #11029974 by small_snow, translation #11419038 by pip
- 独自のアイデアAn original idea
- 独自の方法で解決するTo solve using an original method
- この商品はオリジナルのデザインですThis product is an original design
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are comparing a reproduction with an original item at a museum.
- 健太 Kentaこれがレプリカで、あちらが原物です。Kore ga repurika de, achira ga genbutsu desu.This is the replica, and that one over there is the original.
- 美咲 Misaki原物の方がずっと迫力がありますね。Genbutsu no hou ga zutto hakuryoku ga arimasu ne.The original has much more impact, doesn't it?
- 健太 Kentaはい、本物の質感は違います。Hai, honmono no shitsukan wa chigaimasu.Yes, the texture of the real thing is different.
- 美咲 Misaki近くで見られてよかったです。Chikaku de mirarete yokatta desu.I'm glad we could see it up close.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “original” translations and entries 原物, 原作, 原文, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
