How to say "original" in Japanese

• オリジナルCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers 'original' as the source work or version from which copies, remakes, or adaptations are made — an original painting, the original film. Typical in art, media, and product contexts.
  いくつかのシーンがオリジナルから外はずされた。↗

  Several scenes have been cut from the original.
• 独自どくじJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveThe adjective sense: 'original' as one's own — ideas, methods, styles, or views developed independently and distinctive to a person, group, or company. Choose this for original thinking or an original approach.
  どの民族みんぞくも独自どくじの神話しんわを持もっている。↗

  Every nation has its own myths.
• ユニークJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjectiveCovers 'original' meaning one of a kind — unlike anything else, often with a positive, charming flavor. Typical for unusual personalities, designs, or ideas that stand out; closer to 'unique' than to 'the original'.
  会社かいしゃにパンタロンとアロハシャツを着きてくる彼かれは、かなりユニークな存在そんざいだ。↗

  He's a pretty unique guy, wearing bell bottoms and Hawaiian shirts to the office.
• 実物じつぶつJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'original' only as the actual object itself, as opposed to a picture, model, or replica; for the original of a work it is seldom the word you want — it really means 'the real thing'.
  あの彼かれの写真しゃしんは実物じつぶつより悪わるく撮とれている。↗

  That picture does not do justice to him.
• 斬新ざんしんCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'original' as strikingly new and innovative: a bold, fresh idea, design, or style that breaks with convention. Use it when 'original' implies surprising novelty rather than simply being one's own.
  これはいわゆる斬新ざんしんなアイデアです。↗

  This is what we call a "brand new idea".

Use 「オリジナル」 for the original work or version as opposed to copies, 独自 for one's own distinctive ideas or style, 「ユニーク」 for one-of-a-kind things, 斬新 for boldly innovative novelty, and 実物 only for the actual object itself.

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

• オリジナルoriginal
• 独自どくじoriginal
• ユニークunique
• 実物じつぶつreal thing
• 斬新ざんしんnovel
• 目新しいめあたらしいoriginal
• 原本げんぽんoriginal (document, copy, work, text, etc.)
• 原典げんてんoriginal (text)
• 新奇しんきnovel
• 独創的どくそうてきcreative
• 奇抜きばつ(very) unusual
• 原げんoriginal
• 元ネタもとネタoriginal (that was parodied or acted as an inspiration for something else, etc.)
• 正本せいほんoriginal
• 原始的げんしてきprimitive
• 振るったふるったdifferent
• 一風変わったいっぷうかわったeccentric
• 正せいoriginal
• 一次いちじprimary (sources, industry, etc.)