レビュー
rebyū[ɾe̞bʲɨː]
To say review in Japanese, meaning a critical evaluation of a work, use レビュー (rebyū). If unsure, use レビュー. Wiktionary also lists 感想文 (kansōbun).
Meaning: account intended as a critical evaluation of a text or a piece of work (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| レビュー | rebyū | [ɾe̞bʲɨː] (narrow) |
| 感想文 | kansōbun |
レビュー is the standard word for online product reviews, movie reviews and restaurant reviews in modern Japanese. It is a loanword from English, written in katakana.
What does it mean word for word?
感想文 (kansōbun) is made of 感想, meaning impressions or thoughts and 文, meaning sentence or writing.
Which one should you use?
Use 感想文 for a personal impression, such as a school essay about a book. Use レビュー for consumer or professional reviews. For a more formal piece of critical analysis in the arts or literature, the words 批評 and 評論 are used.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as rebyū, with a long u at the end.
Did you know?
- In the context of Japanese entertainment, a レビュー can sometimes refer specifically to a 'revue' style stage show with music and dance.
- The word 感想 within 感想文 literally translates to 'after-feeling', which suggests that a review is not just an analysis, but the emotional residue left behind by an experience.
- In Japanese schools, writing a 感想文 is a common summer assignment where students must write their impressions of a book they read during the break.
Examples in context
- レビューを書きますI will write a review
- この本のレビューを書きました。Kono hon no rebyū o kakimashita.I wrote a review of this book.
- 新しい映画のレビューを読みました。Atarashii eiga no rebyū o yomimashita.I read a review of the new movie.
- レビューの評価は高いですね。Rebyū no hyōka wa takai desu ne.The review ratings are high, aren't they?
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are discussing a book they both read.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さんはレビューを書きましたか？Yōta-san wa rebyū o kakimashita ka?Yota, did you write a review?
- 陽太 Yotaいいえ、まだ書いていません。Iie, mada kaite imasen.No, I haven't written it yet.
- 結衣 Yuiぜひ感想をレビューしてください。Zehi kansō o rebyū shite kudasai.Please definitely review your thoughts.
- 陽太 Yotaわかりました。今夜書きますね。Wakarimashita. Konya kakimasu ne.I understand. I'll write it tonight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “review” translations and entries レビュー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
