How to say "mission" in Japanese

• ミッションCommon
  nounThe loanword, used much as in English for a mission in business, sports, or a video game; it can also mean a delegation or group sent on official business.
• 使いつかいJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounChiefly an errand — going somewhere to do a task for someone, or the person sent on it. As 'mission' it fits only the modest sense of being sent on an errand, not a grand undertaking.
  使つかいの途中とちゅう道草みちくさをくうな。↗

  Don't delay on this errand.
• 使命しめいJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA mission in the weighty sense: an important duty or calling that someone is charged with, or feels destined, to fulfill. This is the word for 'mission' when it means a purpose in life.
  彼かれらは使命しめいを果はたした。↗

  They accomplished their mission.
• お使いおつかいJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe polite term for an errand run for someone, such as a child sent to the shops. For English 'mission' it works only in that errand sense, never for a serious undertaking.
  あの子こはよくお使つかいをする。↗

  The boy often runs errands.
• 任務にんむJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA mission as an assigned duty: a task or operation given to a person or team to carry out. Typical of military, police, or workplace contexts, emphasizing the assigned duty rather than a personal calling.
  彼女かのじょはその党とうの指導しどう的てき任務にんむにつくことを承認しょうにんした。↗

  She has consented to take the leadership of the party.

Use 使命 for a weighty calling or purpose in life, 任務 for a duty or mission assigned to you, 「ミッション」 as the loanword in business or gaming, and 「使い」 or 「お使い」 only when 'mission' really means an errand.

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

• ミッションmission
• 使いつかいerrand
• 使命しめいmission
• お使いおつかいerrand
• 任務にんむduty
• 使節しせつenvoy
• 使節団しせつだんmission
• 天分てんぶんone's nature