摩天楼
matenrō[ma̠tẽ̞n̺ɾo̞ː]
The English word skyscraper can be translated into Japanese as 摩天楼 (matenrō) or 超高層ビル.
Meaning: tall building (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 摩天楼 | matenrō | [ma̠tẽ̞n̺ɾo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 超高層ビル | chōkōsō biru | [t͡ɕo̞ːko̞ːso̞ːbʲiɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
Both terms refer to a tall building, but they are used in different contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
摩天楼 (matenrō) literally means 'sky-scraping tower', composed of 摩 (rub/scrape), 天 (heaven/sky) and 楼 (tower/high building). 超高層ビル (chōkōsō biru) is composed of 超 (super), 高層 (high-rise) and ビル (building).
Which one should you use?
超高層ビル is the more common, modern term used in daily conversation, news and real estate. In contrast, 摩天楼 sounds more literary or dramatic and is often used in literature, song lyrics or to describe a skyline in a poetic way rather than in technical or architectural contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
matenrō
Did you know?
- The word ビル (biru) is a shortening of the English word 'building', but it is distinct from the word for 'beer', which is also ビール (bīru) and is distinguished by a longer vowel sound.
- The character 摩 (ma) means 'to rub' or 'scrape', which is the same character used in the word for 'massage' マッサージ (massāji) when written in kanji as 按摩.
- The term 摩天楼 is a direct translation, or 'calque', of the English word 'skyscraper'.
Examples in context
- ３０階建の超高層ビルが突然爆発炎上した。All of a sudden, the thirty-story skyscraper went up in flames.This sentence is useful for describing a thirty-story skyscraper using 超高層ビル.Tatoeba #235378 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #72756 by CK
- ブルジュ・ハリファは現在、世界で最も高い超高層ビルです。Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest skyscraper in the world.This sentence is useful for identifying the Burj Khalifa as the world's tallest skyscraper using 超高層ビル.Tatoeba #1510170 by Balamax, translation #1399479 by Balamax
- 東京には多くの摩天楼があります。There are many skyscrapers in Tokyo.
- その超高層ビルは都市のシンボルです。That skyscraper is the symbol of the city.
- 北京には高いビルがたくさんあります。There are many tall buildings in Beijing.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are looking at a city skyline.
- 大翔 Hiroto見て、あそこに大きな摩天楼が見えるよ。Mite, asoko ni ōkina matenrō ga mieru yo.Look, you can see a huge skyscraper over there.
- 結衣 Yui本当だね。すごく高いビルだね。Hontō da ne. Sugoku takai biru da ne.You're right. That's a really tall building.
- 大翔 Hirotoあの摩天楼の頂上まで登ってみたいな。Ano matenrō no chōjō made nobotte mitai na.I want to try climbing to the top of that skyscraper.
- 結衣 Yuiいい考えだね。一緒に行こうか。Ii kangae da ne. Issho ni ikō ka.That's a great idea. Shall we go together?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skyscraper” translations and entries 摩天楼, 超高層ビル, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 摩天楼, 超高層ビル, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
