How to say "literal" in Japanese

• リテラル
  nounA loanword used mainly in technical contexts, especially computing, where it refers to a literal value written directly in code. It is not the everyday word for 'literal(ly)' in ordinary speech.
• 直定数ちょくていすう
  nounA technical term for a literal value in programming, essentially the native counterpart of the loanword above. Seldom what you want for 'literal' in general senses; use it only in computing contexts.
• 字義通りじぎどおり
  no-adjectiveCovers the sense of 'literal' describing the meaning of a word or expression taken exactly as written, as in 'a literal interpretation'. Suited to talk about language and meaning rather than events or quantities.
• 文字通りもじどおりCommon
  no-adjectiveThe common, everyday word for 'literal(ly)', covering both the meaning of words taken at face value and emphatic uses like 'a literal mountain of work'. When in doubt for general 'literal', this is the word to reach for.
  私はおろかにもその慣用かんよう語句ごくを文字もじ通とおりの意味いみで解釈かいしゃくしてしまった。↗

  I foolishly interpreted the idiom according to its literal sense.

Use 「文字通り」 for the everyday sense of 'literal(ly)'; 「字義通り」 for the literal meaning of words; 「リテラル」 and 直定数 are mainly technical (computing/programming) terms for a literal value.

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

• リテラルliteral
• 直定数ちょくていすうliteral
• 字義通りじぎどおりliteral (meaning; of a word, etc.)
• 定数ていすうliteral
• 文字通りもじどおりliteral