ソーシャルメディア
sōsharu media[so̞ːɕa̠ɾɯ̟me̞dʲia̠]
The English phrase "social media" can be translated into Japanese as ソーシャルメディア (sōsharu media) or SNS.
Both terms refer to applications or websites that allow users to communicate. In Japan, people typically say SNS when talking about using platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram or LINE.
Meaning: applications or websites allowing users to communicate (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ソーシャルメディア is a direct loanword translation of "social media", the acronym SNS (which stands for Social Networking Service) is much more commonly used by Japanese speakers in daily conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
sōsharu media
Did you know?
- In Japan, social media is often discussed in the context of honne (true feelings) and tatemae (public face). Many users maintain separate SNS accounts to separate their private and public identities.
- While 'SNS' is an English acronym, it is rarely used in the US or UK to describe social media. In English, it sounds like a technical term for a back-end service, but in Japanese, SNS is the primary word for the apps themselves.
- The phrase SNS疲れ (SNS tsukare), meaning 'SNS fatigue', is a common expression used to describe the exhaustion caused by the pressure of digital social interaction.
Examples in context
- 最近、ソーシャルメディアをよく使います。Saikin, sōsharumedia o yoku tsukaimasu.I use social media often lately.
- ソーシャルメディアでニュースをチェックします。Sōsharumedia de nyūsu o chekkushimasu.I check the news on social media.
- 彼女はソーシャルメディアが大好きです。Kanojo wa sōsharumedia ga daisuki desu.She loves social media.
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are talking about their hobbies.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵はソーシャルメディアをよく使いますか？Himari wa soosharu media o yoku tsukaimasu ka?Himari, do you use social media often?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、毎日チェックしています。hai, mainichi chekku shite imasu.Yes, I check it every day.
- 陽太 Yotaソーシャルメディアで何を見ますか？soosharu media de nani o mimasu ka?What do you look at on social media?
- 陽葵 Himariかわいい猫の動画が好きです。kawaii neko no douga ga suki desu.I like cute cat videos.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “social media” translations and entries ソーシャルメディア, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
