How to say "bipolar" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- noun, prenominal modifierCovers bipolar in electronics, as in bipolar transistors, and other technical uses of 'bi-polar'. As a loanword it is less common, and it is not the word used for bipolar disorder.
- 双極性そうきょくせいprenominal modifierRefers to the medical or psychological sense, bipolar as in bipolar disorder (双極性障害). It is less common as a bare word and is really the adjectival modifier used in such clinical terms.
- 双極そうきょくprenominal modifierMeans literally 'having two poles' and can translate bipolar in that general sense. It is less common and is not the usual way to refer to bipolar disorder, which takes 双極性.
Use 双極性 for bipolar disorder, 双極 for the general or literal 'two poles' sense, and 「バイポーラ」 mainly as the loanword for bipolar in electronics.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
