SF
The English phrase "sci-fi" is translated into Japanese as SF.
In Japanese, the abbreviation SF is much more common in daily conversation and media than the full loanword サイエンス・フィクション. You can specify particular genres by appending a noun directly to the abbreviation, such as SF小説 for an SF novel.
Meaning: science fiction (adj)
Did you know?
- While 'SF' is used globally, Japanese fans developed a specific subgenre called 日常系SF ('nichijou-kei SF'), where high-concept science fiction elements are used to tell mundane, slice-of-life stories.
- Although it is an abbreviation of 'science fiction', the term SF in Japan is sometimes used to describe anything with a futuristic or high-tech visual style, even if there is no actual science involved.
- In Japanese, SF is pronounced by saying the names of the individual English letters, 'es-ef', rather than as a single word.
Examples in context
- SF映画が大好きです。SF eiga ga daisuki desu.I love SF movies.
- 最近、面白いSF小説を読みました。Saikin, omoshiroi SF shousetsu o yomimashita.I read an interesting SF novel recently.
- このゲームはSFの世界観ですね。Kono geemu wa SF no seikaikan desu ne.This game has an SF worldview, doesn't it?
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing what to watch on television.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔君は、SFの映画は好き？Hiroto-kun wa, SF no eiga wa suki?Hiroto, do you like SF movies?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、SFなら何でも見るよ。Un, SF nara nandemo miru yo.Yeah, I'll watch any SF film.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあ、この新作はどうかな？Jaa, kono shinsaku wa dou kana?Then, how about this new release?
- 大翔 Hiroto面白そうだから、見よう！Omoshirosou dakara, miyou!It looks interesting, let's watch it!
