How to say "modern" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- na-adjectiveCovers 'modern' in the aesthetic sense — a stylish, up-to-date look in design, interiors, or fashion. This katakana loanword is the natural pick when you mean modern in appearance or style rather than merely new.
- 新しいあたらしいi-adjectiveThis is the everyday word for 'new'. It matches 'modern' only in the sense of 'recently made or introduced'; for the stylistic or historical sense of 'modern' it is not the word you want.
- no-adjectiveA French loanword glossed 'modern; up-to-date', but as a way to say 'modern' it is marginal: this is seldom the word you want in an ordinary sentence.
- 近代的きんだいてきna-adjectiveCovers 'modern' as 'characteristic of the modern age', set against the pre-modern past; it suits things that have a modern rather than traditional character, such as systems or ways of thinking.
- 現代的げんだいてきna-adjectiveCovers 'modern' as 'of the present day': contemporary in character, reflecting the current era. Where 近代的 evokes the modern age of history, this points to what is modern now.
Choose 「モダン」 for modern style or design, 「新しい」 only when you simply mean 'new', 近代的 for things characteristic of the modern era, 現代的 for the present day, and 「ヌーボー」 only as a marginal last resort.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
