更新
kōshin[ko̞ːɕĩɴ]
The English word 'renewal' is translated into Japanese as 更新 (kōshin).
更新 primarily refers to the act of renewal, rather than the resulting state or the renewed object itself. It is also the standard word for 'update' in the context of software or website information.
Meaning: act of renewing (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 更新 can mean 'renewal' of a contract, it is also the standard word for 'update' in the context of software or website information.
How do you pronounce it?
kōshin
Did you know?
- The word 更 can also mean 'night' in archaic contexts, creating a strange linguistic link between 'renewal' and the deepening of time.
- The term 更新 is used in sports to describe breaking a record, effectively 'renewing' the best score ever achieved.
- Japanese has a specific concept called 新陳代謝 for biological renewal, which translates to 'metabolism' but literally describes the process of old things being replaced by new ones.
Examples in context
- 弊社の契約は毎年更新されます。Our contract is renewed every year.
- 免許の更新が必要です。Menkyo no koushin ga hitsuyou desu.I need to renew my license.
- 契約の更新は来月です。Keiyaku no koushin wa raigetsu desu.The contract renewal is next month.
- サブスクの更新を忘れていました。Sabusuku no koushin o wasurete imashita.I forgot to renew my subscription.
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are talking about their gym memberships.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、ジムの更新はした？Himari, jimu no kōshin wa shita?Himari, did you do your gym renewal?
- 陽葵 Himariあ、忘れてた！今日やっておくね。A, wasureteta! Kyō yatte oku ne.Oh, I forgot! I'll do it today.
- 陽太 Yota期限が明日までだよ。Kigen ga ashita made dayo.The deadline is tomorrow.
- 陽葵 Himari教えてくれてありがとう、陽太。Oshiete kurete arigatō, Yōta.Thanks for telling me, Youta.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “renewal” translations and entries 更新, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
