How to say "prize" in Japanese

• 賞しょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)The general word for a prize or award given in recognition of achievement, as in contests, competitions, or formal honors. This is usually the word you want when talking about winning a prize.
  期待きたいされたとおり彼かれは賞しょうを得えた。↗

  As was expected, he won the prize.
• 褒美ほうびJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers 'prize' in the sense of a reward given as an expression of praise or approval, often from a superior or for good behavior. Closer to 'reward' than to a competitive award.
  この動物どうぶつは単たんにほうびが欲ほしいから、活動かつどうしているのにすぎないのだ。↗

  This animal is just working for rewards.
• 賞品しょうひんJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounRefers to the prize as a physical item or object given to a winner, such as a trophy or goods handed out in a contest. Use this when emphasizing the thing itself rather than the honor.
  先生せんせいはジョンに賞品しょうひんを与あたえた。↗

  The teacher gave John a prize.
• 褒賞ほうしょうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbMeans a prize, award, or reward in the sense of formal recognition combined with some benefit. It has a formal, official flavor, suited to institutional commendations rather than everyday prize talk.
• 懸賞けんしょうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounChiefly describes offering a prize or a prize competition, as in lotteries and promotional contests. As a noun it is really about the contest or the offer, so it is seldom the plain word for a prize itself.

Use 賞 for awards, 賞品 for the physical prize item, 褒美 for a reward given in praise, 褒賞 for formal recognition-and-reward, and 懸賞 chiefly for prize contests and offerings.

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

• 賞しょうprize
• 褒美ほうびreward
• 賞品しょうひんprize
• 褒賞ほうしょうprize
• 懸賞けんしょうoffering a prize
• 尊ぶとうとぶto value
• ご褒美ごほうびreward
• おまけsomething thrown in (with a purchase)
• 重んずるおもんずるto honor
• 重んじるおもんじるto respect
• プライズprize
• 賞典しょうてんprize
• 大切にするたいせつにするto cherish
• 大事にするだいじにするto take good care of
• 景品けいひんprize (lottery drawing, pachinko, etc.)
• 賞与しょうよreward
• 当て物あてものprize
• 惜しむおしむto value