ステッカー
sutekkā[sɨ̥te̞k̚ka̠ː]
The Japanese word for sticker is ステッカー (sutekkā). Wiktionary also lists シール (sīru).
Meaning: adhesive label or decal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ステッカー | sutekkā | [sɨ̥te̞k̚ka̠ː] (narrow) |
| シール | sīru | [ɕiːɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
Both ステッカー and シール refer to adhesive labels or decals. シール is frequently used for functional labels, such as price tags, warning labels or small decorative stickers for children. In contrast, ステッカー is often used in the context of street art, laptop decals or branded merchandise stickers.
Which one should you use?
While both mean sticker, シール is the much more common, general-purpose word used for everything from small labels to decorative stickers. ステッカー often implies a more substantial, decorative or branded decal.
How do you pronounce it?
sutekkā
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly use ステッカー for all types of adhesive labels, but シール is the more natural choice for everyday functional items like price stickers or warning labels.
Did you know?
- In Japanese digital culture, the word シール is used to describe the large, expressive stickers sent in messaging apps like LINE, rather than just physical adhesive labels.
- The trend of 'purikura' photo booths relies heavily on シール, as the resulting printed photos are often cut into stickers to be traded among friends.
- The word シール is a 'wasei-eigo' term, meaning it is English words combined or repurposed in a way that an English speaker would not recognize as a 'seal'.
Examples in context
- あった。シールだ。I have it. It is a sticker.This sentence is useful for identifying a sticker using シール.Tatoeba #10990438 by small_snow, translation #13141020 by terrywallwork
- 箱には「ワレモノ注意」のシールが貼ってある。There's a sticker on the box that says "fragile."This sentence shows how to use シール to describe a warning sticker on a box.Tatoeba #11605476 by small_snow, translation #7759725 by CK
- この箱に「割れ物注意」のシールを貼ってください。Please put a fragile sticker on this box.This sentence demonstrates a request to apply a シール to a box.Tatoeba #8649349 by bunbuku, translation #7759726 by CK
- 彼女はかわいいシールをたくさん集めています。She collects a lot of cute stickers.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hina and Kenta are looking at a laptop.
- 陽葵 Himariこのステッカー、すごく可愛いね。Kono sutekkā, sugoku kawaii ne.This sticker is really cute.
- 健太 Kentaどこで買ったの？Doko de katta no?Where did you buy it?
- 陽葵 Himari駅前の雑貨屋で買ったよ。Ekimae no zakkaya de katta yo.I bought it at the variety store in front of the station.
- 健太 Kenta僕も同じステッカーが欲しいな。Boku mo onaji sutekkā ga hoshii na.I want the same sticker too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sticker” translations and entries ステッカー, シール, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
