ラジオ
rajio[ɾa̠ʑio̞]
The Japanese word for radio is ラジオ (rajio). Wiktionary also lists 無線 (musen).
Meaning: receiver (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ラジオ | rajio | [ɾa̠ʑio̞] (narrow) |
| 無線 | musen | [mɯ̟sẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
In Japanese, ラジオ is a loanword from English used to refer to the radio device itself. For more technical contexts, the term 受信機 is used to refer specifically to a radio receiver.
Which one should you use?
While ラジオ refers to the physical radio device, the term 無線 is used to refer to the technology of wireless communication or radio waves.
How do you pronounce it?
rajio
Did you know?
- In Japan, the phrase ラジオ体操 refers to 'Radio Calisthenics', a nationwide morning exercise routine broadcast via radio.
- The word ラジオ was introduced to the Japanese literary world through a play by Kunio Kishida in the 1920s, appearing long before it became a ubiquitous household object.
- When discussing radio waves or the medium itself, Japanese speakers use 電波 (denpa), which literally means 'electric waves'.
Examples in context
- ラジオ、切った？Did you turn off the radio?This sentence is useful for asking if the ラジオ was turned off.Tatoeba #12436243 by small_snow, translation #12436239 by CK
- 彼はラジオをつけた。He turned on the radio.This sentence is useful for stating that someone turned on the ラジオ.Tatoeba #110348 by bunbuku, translation #293339 by CK
- 私はラジオを消した。I turned off the radio.This sentence is useful for stating that someone turned off the ラジオ.Tatoeba #158616 by bunbuku, translation #255912 by CK
- ラジオを聴いていますI am listening to the radio.
- テレビとラジオの放送Television and radio broadcasts
- 173 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are in their living room.
- 結衣 Yuiラジオで音楽を聴きましょう。Rajio de ongaku o kikimashou.Let's listen to music on the radio.
- 陽太 Yotaいいですね。結衣さんの好きな曲は？Ii desu ne. Yui-san no suki na kyoku wa?That sounds good. What songs do you like, Yui?
- 結衣 Yui最近のポップスが聴きたいです。Saikin no poppusu ga kikitai desu.I want to hear recent pop songs.
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、ラジオの音量を上げますね。Jaa, rajio no onryou o agemasu ne.Then, I'll turn up the radio volume.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “radio” translations and entries ラジオ, 無線, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ラジオ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
