トランスジェンダー
toransujendā[to̞ɾã̠ɰ̃sɨʑẽ̞nda̠ː]
The Japanese word for transgender is トランスジェンダー (toransujendā).
This term is used to describe a person whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. This can be used broadly to refer to anyone with a gender identity different from their assigned sex, or strictly to refer to those whose identity is the opposite of their assigned sex.
Meaning: (broadly) of a person: having a gender (identity) which is different from one’s assigned sex, (strictly) of a person: having a gender (identity) which is opposite from the sex one was assigned at birth (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
toransujendā
When do people say it?
In Japanese medical or more specific social contexts, the English acronyms MTF (male-to-female) and FTM (female-to-male) are frequently used to specify the direction of transition.
Did you know?
- While トランスジェンダー is the standard term, some Japanese people use the word ニューハーフ 'new half' to describe transgender women.
- Japanese pop culture has a long history of 'gender-bending' performers, such as onnagata in Kabuki, though this is a theatrical art and distinct from the identity of being トランスジェンダー.
- In Japanese pop culture and subcultures, the term 女装 (josō) is often used for men who dress in feminine clothing. While not strictly synonymous with 'transgender', it is a frequently encountered term in related social contexts.
Examples in context
- 彼らは性同一性障害のある人々です。They are people with gender identity disorder.
- その人はトランスジェンダーです。That person is transgender.
- 彼はトランスジェンダーです。Kare wa toransujendaa desu.He is transgender.
- トランスジェンダーの人々を尊重しましょう。Toransujendaa no hitobito o sonchou shimashou.Let's respect transgender people.
- トランスジェンダーに関する本を読みました。Toransujendaa ni kansuru hon o yomimashita.I read a book about transgender issues.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a documentary they watched.
- 蓮 Renあのドキュメンタリーはトランスジェンダーについて描いていましたね。Ano dokyumentarii wa toransujendaa ni tsuite egaite imashita ne.That documentary depicted life as a transgender person, didn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、とても考えさせられる内容でした。Hai, totemo kangaesaserareru naiyou deshita.Yes, it was a very thought-provoking story.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さんはどう感じましたか？Yui-san wa dou kanjimashita ka?How did you feel about it, Yui?
- 結衣 Yuiもっと理解を深めたいと思いました。Motto rikai o fukametai to omoimashita.I felt that I want to understand more deeply.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry トランスジェンダー, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
