How to say "medal" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe word you will usually want for a medal as a physical object, especially one awarded in a competition or contest; gold, silver and bronze medals are all メダル.ロイはそのメダルをピンで止めた。↗Roy fastened the medal with a pin.
- 勲章くんしょうnounA decoration or order conferred on a person for distinguished service or merit, typically by a government or other organization; not the word for a prize medal in a competition.
- 記章きしょうnounChiefly a badge or insignia worn to show affiliation, rank or commemoration; for the sense 'medal' it is only a marginal choice, and メダル or 勲章 is what you usually want.
- 賞牌しょうはいnounA medal awarded as a prize; メダル is the word you usually want for a medal, and 賞牌 is a more specific term for the prize medal.
- 章しょうnoun, noun (suffix)A general term for a medal, badge or insignia; on its own it does not say which, so it is seldom the word you want when you mean a specific medal.
Use 「メダル」 for a medal awarded in a competition, 勲章 for a decoration conferred for merit, and 記章, 賞牌 and 章 chiefly for badges and prize medals; 「メダル」 is the word you usually want.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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