How to say "advertisement" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 広告こうこくnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe most general word for an advertisement or advertising as such, covering print, online, and outdoor ads. When you mean an advertisement in the ordinary sense, this is usually the word you want.
- 宣伝せんでんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers publicity, promotion, and advertising in the sense of actively spreading the word about something; the gloss 'propaganda' shows it can also mean advocacy. Less about a single ad piece than about getting attention.
- ＣＭシー・エムnounSpecifically a commercial on radio or television, short for 'commercial message'. If the advertisement you mean is a TV or radio spot, this is the natural word rather than 広告.
- nounA casual shortening of 'ad' for advertisements, especially in everyday or online contexts. Fine for informal reference to a single ad, but 広告 is the safer choice in careful or neutral writing.
- 募集ぼしゅうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbReally means recruitment, invitation, or solicitation rather than an advertisement; it appears here because job or enrollment notices are sometimes called advertisements in English. Seldom the word you want for an advertisement itself.
Use 広告 for advertisements in general, ＣＭ or 「アド」 for broadcast or casual mention, 宣伝 for publicity and promotion, and 募集 only when the sense is recruitment or solicitation.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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