How to say "convention" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 大会たいかいnounCovers 'convention' as a large gathering of people, such as a political party convention or a big annual conference; it points to a mass meeting or rally, not to a rule or agreement.
- 伝統でんとうnounHere 'convention' means a practice handed down over time — a tradition — not an event or a treaty. Use it for long-established customs, not for meetings or formal agreements.
- 条約じょうやくnounCovers 'convention' as a formal agreement between countries — the treaty sense, as in the Geneva Conventions. Use it in diplomatic or legal contexts, never for a gathering.
- 慣習かんしゅうnounCovers 'convention' as an accepted custom or common practice — the unwritten rules of how things are done in a society or field. It overlaps with 伝統 but stresses everyday customary behavior.
- nounThe loanword; used especially for conventions as large events, such as industry gatherings or fan conventions. For customs, traditions, or treaties, use 慣習, 伝統, or 条約 instead.
Use 大会 for a large meeting or rally, 条約 for an international treaty, 伝統 for traditions handed down over time, 慣習 for accepted customs, and 「コンベンション」 as the loanword for conventions as events.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 大会たいかいmass meeting
- 伝統でんとうtradition
- 条約じょうやくtreaty
- 慣習かんしゅうcustom
- コンベンションconvention
- 因習いんしゅうconvention
- 慣例かんれいcustom
- 通例つうれいcustom
- 協約きょうやくpact
- 会議かいぎmeeting
- 定番ていばんstandard item
- 集会しゅうかいmeeting
- 規約きやくagreement
- 古格こかくconvention
- しきたりcustom
- 協議会きょうぎかいconference
- 世間一般せけんいっぱんthe world in general
- 風ふうcustom
- 約束やくそくconvention
- 習慣しゅうかん(social) custom
- ショーshow
- 約束事やくそくごとconvention
- 予定調和よていちょうわ(events) proceeding in a predictable fashion
- 性さがcustom
- 型かたconvention
See also
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