プロ
puro[pɯ̟ɾo̞]
The Japanese word for "pro" is プロ (puro).
While the source pack defines it as 'advantage of something', in common Japanese usage, プロ is almost exclusively used as a loanword meaning "professional" or "expert". It is a borrowed word from English used to refer to professionals in sports, entertainment or other creative industries.
Meaning: advantage of something (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a loanword from the English 'pro', written in katakana.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context, other terms may be more precise.
How do you pronounce it?
puro
Did you know?
- In Japanese, プロ is almost never used to mean 'the pros' in a 'pros and cons' list. For this meaning, speakers use メリット 'merit' or 利点 'riten'.
- In Japanese, the word プロ is used as an adjective to describe a person's level of skill, but it can also describe a person's attitude or mindset. For example, one might say someone has a プロ spirit even if they are not being paid for their work.
- Because プロ is a katakana loanword, it is often used in media and advertising to sound more modern or 'cool' compared to the traditional Japanese word 専門家 (senmonka), which means 'expert'.
Examples in context
- プロレスが好きなんだ。I like pro wrestling.This sentence uses プロ to express a preference for professional wrestling.Tatoeba #10938234 by bunbuku, translation #255554 by CK
- そういえば、この人ってプロ野球選手だったな。Now that you mention it, wasn't this guy a pro baseball player?This sentence uses プロ to identify a professional baseball player.Tatoeba #10996845 by small_snow, translation #12089772 by pip
- 私の姉はプロのイラストレーターになるのが夢と言っている。My older sister says it's her dream to become a pro illustrator.This sentence uses プロ to describe an aspiring professional illustrator.Tatoeba #12324649 by HeliumNeon_, translation #12327511 by end
- 彼女は本当に専門家です。She is a true professional.
- 彼はバスケットボールのプロです。He is a professional basketball player.
- 彼は専門職の人ですね。He has a professional occupation.
- 彼の腕前が本当にいいですね。His skills are really impressive.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are discussing which smartphone to buy.
- 蓮 Renこの機種のプロは何だと思う？Kono kishu no puro wa nan da to omou?What do you think are the pros of this model?
- 陽葵 Himariカメラの性能が良いのがプロだね。Kamera no seinō ga yoi no ga puro da ne.The high camera performance is a pro.
- 蓮 Renでも、値段が高いのがコンプロだよね。Demo, nedan ga takai no ga konpro da yo ne.But the high price is a con, right?
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね、迷うなあ。Sō da ne, mayou nā.True, it's a tough choice.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry プロ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
