ビデオ通話
bideo tsūwa
The English phrase "video call" is translated into Japanese as ビデオ通話 (bideo tsūwa). Wiktionary also lists ビデオコール (bideokōru).
Meaning: kind of telephone call accompanied by video imagery (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| ビデオ通話 | bideo tsūwa |
| ビデオコール | bideokōru |
The term ビデオ通話 refers to a telephone call accompanied by video imagery. To express the action of having or making a video call, you can use the phrase ビデオ通話をする. Related technical actions include カメラをオンにする to turn on the camera and マイクをオンにする to turn on the microphone.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ビデオ通話 is a compound where 通話 means a telephone conversation or call.
Which one should you use?
ビデオ通話 is the standard, more formal term used in technical settings or official documentation. In contrast, ビデオコール is a more casual loanword version.
How do you pronounce it?
bideo tsūwa
Did you know?
- If a video call is lagging or freezing, a Japanese speaker might say the 'connection is bad' using the word 電波 (denpa), which literally refers to 'radio waves'.
- When your video freezes during a call, you might describe the screen as 固まる (katamaru), which means 'to harden' or 'to freeze' like ice or clay.
- In formal video meetings, instead of saying 'I'm joining the call', participants may use the humble verb 入室する (nyūshitsu suru), meaning 'to enter a room'.
Examples in context
- 私はビデオ通話をオンにします。I will turn on the video call.
- 今日、ビデオ通話で話そうよ！Let's talk via video call today!
- ビデオ通話をしましょうか？Shall we have a video call?
- カメラとマイクをオンにしてください。Please turn on the camera and microphone.
- ビデオ通話は便利ですね。Bideo tsuuwa wa benri desu ne.Video calls are convenient, aren't they?
- ビデオ通話で話しましょう。Bideo tsuuwa de hanashimashou.Let's talk via video call.
- ビデオ通話の準備はできましたか？Bideo tsuuwa no junbi wa dekimashita ka?Are you ready for the video call?
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are planning how to talk later.
- 陽太 Yota後でビデオ通話できる？ato de bideo tsuuwa dekiru?Can you do a video call later?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、できるよ。un, dekiru yo.Yes, I can.
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、夜に電話するね。jaa, yoru ni denwa suru ne.Then, I'll call you tonight.
- 陽葵 Himari待ってるね、陽太。matteru ne, Yota.I'll be waiting, Yota.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “video call” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
