ウイルス
uirusu[ɯ̟iɾɯ̟sɨ]
The English word 'virus' is translated into Japanese as ウイルス (uirusu). Wiktionary also lists ウィルス (wirusu) and ビールス (bīrusu).
Meaning: infectious organism (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ウイルス | uirusu | [ɯ̟iɾɯ̟sɨ] (narrow) |
| ウィルス | wirusu | |
| ビールス | bīrusu | [bʲiːɾɯ̟sɨ] (narrow) |
| バイラス | bairasu | [ba̠iɾa̠sɨ] (narrow) |
| 病毒 | byōdoku |
The term refers to an infectious organism. It is frequently used in the phrase ウイルス感染 (virus infection), which applies to both biological infections and computer virus infections.
Which one should you use?
While several transliterations exist, ウイルス is the most common and standard way to write 'virus' in modern Japanese. The form ウィルス is also used. Other variations include ビールス and バイラス. Additionally, the term 病毒 (byōdoku) can be used.
How do you pronounce it?
uirusu
Did you know?
- The word ウイルス is believed to have entered the Japanese language via German Virus rather than directly from English.
- In early 20th century Japanese medical discourse, the word 病毒 was used to describe any poisonous substance or toxin, not just biological viruses.
- While the English word starts with a 'v' sound, the standard Japanese version ウイルス begins with a vowel, 'u'.
Examples in context
- パソコンがウイルス感染してる。The computer has a virus.This sentence shows how to say a computer has a virus using ウイルス.Tatoeba #11540271 by small_snow, translation #10110894 by ddnktr
- パソコンがウイルス感染しちゃった。The computer is infected with a virus.This sentence uses ウイルス to express that a computer has become infected with a virus.Tatoeba #11540269 by small_snow, translation #6589745 by Eccles17
- トムのパソコンがウイルスに感染した。A virus infected Tom's computer.This sentence uses ウイルス to describe a virus infecting a specific person's computer.Tatoeba #2370577 by tommy_san, translation #1488733 by Spamster
- 最新のウイルスが広がっているので、予防策をしっかりと取りましょう。Since the latest virus is spreading, let's take proper preventive measures.
- このウィルス、凄く怖いみたい。This virus seems really scary.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are talking about health at school.
- 美咲 Misaki風邪かな？それともウイルスかな？Kaze kana? Soretomo uirusu kana?Is it a cold? Or maybe a virus?
- 大翔 Hiroto最近、ウイルスが流行っているみたいだよ。Saikin, uirusu ga hayatte iru mitai da yo.It seems like a virus is going around lately.
- 美咲 Misaki怖いね。手洗いをしっかりしなきゃ。Kowai ne. Tearai o shikkari shinakya.That's scary. I have to wash my hands thoroughly.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。マスクもつけよう。Sou da ne. Masuku mo tsukeyou.You're right. Let's wear masks too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “virus” translations and entries ウイルス, ウィルス, ビールス, バイラス, 病毒, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ウイルス, バイラス, ビールス, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
