文
bun[mõ̞ɴ]
The English word 'sentences' is translated into Japanese as 文 (bun).
The term 文 refers to a set of words that expresses a complete thought.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Osaka dialect (Osaka-ben), the word Meccha is used to mean 'very'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 文 is used for both singular and plural 'sentences', as Japanese does not make a grammatical distinction between singular and plural for this word.
Did you know?
- The character 文 originally referred to 'ornate' things or a specific 'kind of coin' in Middle Chinese before it meant 'sentence' or 'literature'.
- Japanese allows for 文 that omit the subject and object entirely, provided the context is understood, which is nearly impossible in a formal English sentence.
- In Japanese, the end of a 文 is often marked by a polite auxiliary verb that indicates the speaker's social relationship to the listener rather than just the end of the thought.
Examples in context
- 次の文を英訳せよ。Put the following sentences into English.This sentence is useful for practicing how to translate a 文 into English.Tatoeba #150231 by small_snow, translation #264327 by CN
- もっと長い文訳したら？Why don't you translate longer sentences?This sentence is useful for practicing how to translate longer 文.Tatoeba #10760086 by small_snow, translation #8670864 by maaster
- これらの文を訳しなさい。Translate these sentences.This sentence is useful for practicing how to translate these 文.Tatoeba #10075400 by small_snow, translation #10075396 by espamatics
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A student is asking a teacher about a grammar assignment.
- 美咲 Misakiこの文の作り方は正しいですか？Kono bun no tsukurikata wa tadashii desu ka?Is the way this sentence is constructed correct?
- 蓮 Renはい、その文はとても自然です。Hai, sono bun wa totemo shizen desu.Yes, that sentence is very natural.
- 美咲 Misakiもっと短い文も作れますか？Motto mijikai bun mo tsukuremasu ka?Can I also make shorter sentences?
- 蓮 Renもちろんです、挑戦してみてください。Mochiron desu, chousen shite mite kudasai.Of course, please give it a try.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 文, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 文, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
