How to say "caption" in Japanese

• キャプションCommon
  nounThe loanword for the text accompanying a photo or illustration — the 'cutline' sense — and for a figure's legend. For a picture caption, this is the word to reach for.
• 題名だいめいJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounReally 'title': the name of a book, film, song, or similar work. Its 'caption' match is the title or heading sense, so it is not the word for text under a picture.
  その小説しょうせつは聖書せいしょから題名だいめいをとっている。↗

  The novel takes its title from the Bible.
• 説明せつめいJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe general word for explanation or description. It fits 'caption' when you mean the explanatory words telling the reader what a picture or figure shows, rather than the caption as a printed element.
  私に規則きそくを説明せつめいして下ください。↗

  Please explain the rule to me.
• 見出しみだしJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounChiefly a heading or headline: the short line at the top of an article or section. Its 'caption' match is that heading sense, not the explanatory text under a photo.
• 表題ひょうだいCommon
  nounReally a 'title' word: the title of a document, paper, or similar work. It also covers headings and headlines, but for 'caption' it is at best marginal.

For the text accompanying a picture, 「キャプション」 is the direct choice; 説明 treats it as an explanation, 「見出し」 as a heading or headline, while 題名 and 表題 are really 'title' words.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• キャプションcaption
• 題名だいめいtitle
• 説明せつめいexplanation
• 見出しみだしheading
• 表題ひょうだいtitle
• 説明文せつめいぶんexplanatory note
• ネームcaption
• テロップtext or image superimposed on a television screen