AniDB Definition:Romanisation: Difference between revisions

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{{Eyecatch|Note|For Chinese text, refer to our [[AniDB Definition:Romanisation for Chinese]] guide.}}
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* Further more, the romanisation need not be a lossless [[Wikipedia:Transliteration|transliteration]] of Japanese spelling. Though less so than English, Japanese pronunciation deviates somewhat from the [[Wikipedia:Phoneme|phonemic]] spelling. As the aim is to provide an aurally recognisable transcription, it is more important to better reflect the sound than exact spelling.
* Further more, the romanisation need not be a lossless [[Wikipedia:Transliteration|transliteration]] of Japanese spelling. Though less so than English, Japanese pronunciation deviates somewhat from the [[Wikipedia:Phoneme|phonemic]] spelling. As the aim is to provide an aurally recognisable transcription, it is more important to better reflect the sound than exact spelling.
* Romanised titles do not need to provide a basis for correct Japanese [[Wikipedia:Collation|collation]] of titles. This is a technical problem that would be better handled correctly through its own system, and would interfere with the primary purpose of the romanisation.
* Romanised titles do not need to provide a basis for correct Japanese [[Wikipedia:Collation|collation]] of titles. This is a technical problem that would be better handled correctly through its own system, and would interfere with the primary purpose of the romanisation.
* Romanisations need not have an 'official' status. Though both the Japanese makers and international licensees might provide a romanised title, this is irrelevant to a transcription of the Japanese title - except arguably in the case of [[#What to do with names and invented terms|names]].
* Romanisations need not have an 'official' status. Though both the Japanese makers and international licensees might provide a romanised title/name, this is irrelevant to a transcription of the Japanese title/name.


= Hepburn romanisation =
= Hepburn romanisation =
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{{:AniDB Definition: Romanisation/Table}}
{{:AniDB Definition: Romanisation/Table}}
== General rule for dictionary words ==
When transcribing, glue transcriptions together only for names and dictionary terms. The following are good online dictionaries to reference:
* [https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/ goo.ne.jp]
* [https://jisho.org/ Jisho]


== Special cases ==
== Special cases ==
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=== ん before vowels as ''n''' ===
=== ん before vowels as ''n''' ===
Accepted.
Accepted.
Examples:
* れんあい (ren'ai)
* 小泉ジュンイチロー (Koizumi Jun'ichirou)


== Deviations from Hepburn ==
== Deviations from Hepburn ==
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=== ん before labial consonants as ''m'' ===
=== ん before labial consonants as ''m'' ===
Not accepted.
Not accepted.
==Guidance for Using External Sources to Support Romanisations and Translations==
This policy was confirmed on 25-Jan-2020 as discussed {{short|post458077|here}}.
===Anime Titles===
====English Main Transcription Title====
"Officially" provided Japanese romanisations should '''not''' be added as the ''main transcription title'' for AniDB purposes; the main transcription title should always follow AniDB transcription rules as set out here. Add the "official" transcription as a synonym if needed.
====English Official Title====
3rd party "official" sources may be acceptable for English titles when there is no 1st party English licencor, as determined on a case-by-case basis.<br>
For example, {{AniDBShortLink|a12867|My Big Emergency}} is an animation from 1936. As part of the ''National Project for the Sustainability of Born-Digital Cinema'', supported by the ''Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan'', in 2016 ''The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo'' [http://animation.filmarchives.jp/en/works/view/43779 re-released the animation on their website] with an English translation and English title. The translation was provided as "My Big Emergency". This can be accepted as an official English title for AniDB purposes.
===Native Japanese Words and Names, Non-Native Japanese Words===
# For native Japanese words and names (e.g. 星界の紋章 ''{{short|a1|Seikai no Monshou}}'', 衛宮士郎 ''{{short|ch1904|Emiya Shirou}}''), '''always''' use AniDB house rules.
# For non-native Japanese words (e.g. コードギアス ''{{short|a4521|Code Geass}}''), '''always''' use AniDB house rules.
===Non-Native Japanese Names===
For non-native Japanese names (e.g. ルルーシュ・ヴィ・ブリタニア ''{{short|ch103|Lelouch vi Britannia}}''):
# If the Japanese producer provides an official spelling of the non-native '''name''' ("''Lelouch vi Britannia''"), use the official spelling.
## However, for '''foreign''' (non-Japanese) '''names''' where the correct foreign spelling is known, and/or there exists a standard Latin transcription (e.g. Chinese transcriptions): use that as the main name for the entry, instead of the Japan-provided spelling.
### In such a scenario, add the Japan-provided official spelling as an alternate name of Type: Other, under the corresponding foreign language.
## Exceptions '''may''' (or may not) apply for completely senseless spellings or spellings that run greatly afoul of our house rules.
### ネロ・カオス ''{{short|ch1949|Nrvnqsr Chaos}}'' is the official spelling. Since the name is essentially unreadable, the transcription used as the main name is ''Nero Chaos''; this matches the pronunciation in the anime, is accepted by fans and other third parties without dispute over its correctness, is routinely used by third parties, and is aurally sound when compared to the katakana.
### クワトロ・バジーナ ''{{short|ch3975|Quattro Vajeena}}'' is an accepted official spelling despite being phonetically questionable and considered non-ideal by large parts of the community (which prefers ''Quattro Bajeena'').
# If the Japanese producer does not provide an official spelling of the non-native name (i.e. lack of <u>''primary''</u> evidence), use AniDB house rules and write a transcription that makes the most sense.
## Remember, transcriptions should generally be ''aurally recognisable''.
## As always, use AniDB's house rules described in this article when writing any transcribed Japanese titles in AniDB; AniDB's house rules consider official spellings from the Japanese producer as <u>''primary''</u> evidence.
## The English ''translation'' of the full script from international licensee (for example: Crunchyroll for anime, Yen Press for manga and light novel) is usually acceptable as <u>''secondary''</u> evidence to an official source, to help determine a romanisation; it is a good starting point to use as a basis for the Japanese ''transcription'' on AniDB.  The English ''translation'' of the script is not, however, a definitive Japanese ''transcription'' and should not be used as such.
### However, official Japanese source ''transcriptions'' will always override (unless 1.1 applies).
### Further, do not use an international licensee's ''translation'' as a Japanese ''transcription'' if it significantly differs from the phonetic katakana reading, or if it significantly differs from the commonly accepted reading if the original language and reading is known; staff discretion (maintainer, moderator) is used on a case-by-case basis.
#### For example, トーマス is commonly accepted as a katakana transcription for "''Thomas''".  If the international licensee (e.g. Crunchyroll, Daisuki, Hulu, Netflix, Yen Press, etc) gave the character's name instead as "''Tonas''", we would '''not''' use this as the Japanese transcription on AniDB; at the bare minimum, transcribe the katakana exactly as it is written and use "''Toumas''" as use transcription.  Further, if there is a known and commonly accepted transcription such as "''Thomas''", this can be used instead as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.
## Historically, licensees have also been prone to making mistakes as anyone else would, which is why they are only considered secondary sources for ''transcriptions''.  The term "licensee" includes official English ''translations'' for all media types, including anime, manga, light novels, etc.
# Do not blindly copy transcriptions from fansubs, fan scanlations, and other similar fan sources.


== Loanwords and Transcribed Words in Japanese ==
== Loanwords and Transcribed Words in Japanese ==
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=== Spell in original language where possible ===
=== Spell in original language where possible ===
For foreign loanwords and foreign words transcribed to Japanese, spell the word as the original language would spell it.  Do '''NOT''' write it as a Japanese romanisation.
For foreign loan'''words''' and foreign '''words''' transcribed to Japanese, spell the word as the original language would spell it.  Do '''NOT''' write it as a Japanese romanisation.
 
For foreign '''names''', refer to guidance [[AniDB_Definition:Romanisation#Guidance_for_Using_External_Sources_to_Support_Romanisations|earlier in this article]].
 
Please remember that some loanwords may have variant spellings in the original language, to account for gender (masculine/feminine/neuter), number (singular/plural), and other grammatical considerations. When feasible, try to adhere to the original language's usage when picking the spelling variant.


Example:
Example:
* ウォーター (uoutaa): this is the word 'water' transcribed to Japanese. Spell it as 'water' in the transcription title.
* ウォーター (uootaa): this is the word 'water' transcribed to Japanese. Spell it as 'water' in the transcription title.
* アイスクリーム (aisu kuriimu): this is a loanword for 'ice cream'.  Spell it as 'ice cream' in the transcription title.
* ラッキー (rakkii), this is the word 'lucky' transcribed to Japanese. Spell it as 'lucky' in the transcription title.
* アイスクリーム (aisu kuriimu): this is the words 'ice cream' transcribed to Japanese.  Spell it as 'ice cream' in the transcription title.
* たまごっち (tamagocchi): this has a widely used English spelling of 'Tamagotchi'.  Spell it as 'Tamagotchi' in the transcription title.
* たまごっち (tamagocchi): this has a widely used English spelling of 'Tamagotchi'.  Spell it as 'Tamagotchi' in the transcription title.
* ぷち / ぷちっと (petit / puchitto), this is the French word 'petit' or 'petite' transcribed to Japanese. Spell it as 'petit' (masculine) or 'petite' (feminine) (as appropriate, in the usage context) in the transcription title.
** ぷちます! ('{{short|a9445|Puchimas!}}'), Japanese usage is as a proper noun. Do '''not''' transcribe as 'Petitmas'.
** ぷちこ ('{{short|e45440|Puchiko}}'), Japanese usage is as a proper noun. Do '''not''' transcribe as 'Petitko'.
* スカトロ(ジー) (katakana) / すかとろ(じい) (hiragana) ('sukatoro(jii)', 'scatolo(gy)' (English)), Japanese usage is a short form of "scatology", and is consistent with the definition of scatology. Spell it as 'scatolo' for the contracted version (it's just an abbreviation of the loanword) and 'scatology' for the full version.


=== What to do with Wasei-eigo terms ===
==== Drop all diacritics (umlauts [ ¨ ], accents [ ˝ ], etc) ====
{{missing}}
For all foreign words with diacritics, AniDB follows the simplest and most common English-language convention: drop '''all''' diacritics '''without''' the use of sound-substitutions. This rule applies to all foreign languages without exception.
For more information, see Wikipedia's page on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasei-eigo Wasei-eigo].


Example:
Example:
* レベルアップ (reberu appu, 'level up'): Japanese usage means "raise a level".
* ''Walküre'': spell as ''Walkure'' (drop all diacritics) and '''not''' ''Walkuere'' (do not use sound-substitutions).
* カンニング (kanningu, 'cunning'): Japanese usage means "cheating".


=== What to do with names and invented terms ===
=== What to do with Wasei-eigo terms, and invented words using other languages (ie Wasei-xxx) ===
{{missing}}
{{missing}}
For more information, see Wikipedia's page on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasei-eigo Wasei-eigo].
In general, spell in the foreign language ''if it makes sense to do so.'' If it does not make sense, ''transcribe the reading directly'' without trying to map to the foreign language.
'''Examples:'''
* レベルアップ (reberu appu, 'level up'): Japanese usage means "raise a level". Spell it as 'level up' in the transcription title, as it readily maps to English.
* カンニング (kanningu, 'cunning'): Japanese usage means "cheating". Spell it as 'cunning' in the transcription title, as it readily maps to English.
* スキンシップ (sukinshippu, 'skinship'), Japanese usage means "physical contact" and appears to have been coined from skin and kinship. Spell it as 'skinship' as it readily maps to existing words in English.
* アパートメントハウス (apaatomentohausu, 'apartment house'), Japanese usage means "apartment building" and appears to have been coined from apartment and house. Spell it as 'apartment house' as it readily maps to existing words in English.
** アパート ('apaato', 'apart(ment)'), Japanese usage is a short form of "apartment house". Spell it as 'apaato' as it does not readily map to existing words in English with the meaning of "apartment".
* アルバイト (arubaito, 'arbeit' (German)), Japanese usage means "work or job", and is borrowed from German. Spell it as 'arbeit' in the transcription title, as it readily maps to German.
** バイト ('baito', '(ar)beit' (German)), Japanese usage is a short form of "arbeit". Spell it as 'baito' as it does not readily map to existing words in German with the meaning of "arbeit".


= Other orthography issues =
= Other orthography issues =
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See the [[Capitalisation|Capitalisation]] guide.
See the [[Capitalisation|Capitalisation]] guide.
== Punctuation ==
Use international punctuation rules:
* space after comma (,) but not before
* space after last full stop (.), questionmark (?), exclamation mark (!)
* use no space after the aforementioned if it's the end of the sentence/expression
For Japanese titles:
* replace any Japanese fullwidth characters with equivalent halfwidth character
* replace Japanese comma (、), Japanese full stop (。), questionmark (?), exclamation mark (!) and, where applicable, space to meet punctuation rules


== Spacing ==
== Spacing ==
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: ベザン・ブラック号 - Bezan Black Gou ({{short|ch2024|Bezan Black Gou}}, character/ship from ''One Piece'')
: ベザン・ブラック号 - Bezan Black Gou ({{short|ch2024|Bezan Black Gou}}, character/ship from ''One Piece'')


=== 編 (hen) ===
=== 編 / 篇 (hen / hen) ===
Separate 編 ("Volume" / "Version" / [...]), except when it's actually part of another word (e.g. 完結編 (Kanketsuhen (Last program of a series))).  Don't hyphenate.
Separate 編 / 篇 ("Volume" / "Version" / [...]), except when it's actually part of another word (e.g. 完結編 (Kanketsuhen (Last program of a series)), 予告編 / 予告篇 (Yokokuhen (trailer / advanced notice))).  Don't hyphenate.


''Example:''
''Example:''
: 魔動王グランゾート 冒険編 - Madou King Grandzort: Bouken Hen ({{short|a2354|Madou King Grandzort: Bouken Hen}}, an OVA from the 90s)
: 魔動王グランゾート 冒険編 - Madou King Grandzort: Bouken Hen ({{short|a2354|Madou King Grandzort: Bouken Hen}}, an OVA from the 90s)
: 予告篇 - Yokokuhen ({{short|e154895|Yokokuhen}}, a preview/trailer for {{short|a1540|Tenjou Tenge}})
=== 版 (ban) ===
Separate 版 ("Edition" / "Version" / [...]), except when it's actually part of another word (e.g. 劇場版 (Gekijouban (Movie edition))).  Don't hyphenate.
''Example:''
: アニメPV [ノンテロップ版] - Anime PV [Non-Telop Ban] ({{short|e181402|<nowiki>Kakuchou Shoujo Kei Trinary - T1 - Anime PV 01 (0:35) (Anime PV [Non-Telop Ban]</nowiki>)}}, the Non-TELOP version PV)
: ノンテロップ版 38.PHASE-40 - Non-Telop Ban 38.PHASE-40 ({{short|e146515| Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED - S8 - Special 8 (Non-Telop Ban 38.PHASE-40)}}, the Non-TELOP version episode (which was included in the BD/DVD))
=== 弾 / 話 (dan / wa) ===
Separate 弾 ("Volume") and 話 ("Episode"/"Story"), except when it's actually part of another word (e.g. 爆弾 (Bakudan (Bomb)), 会話 (Kaiwa (Conversation))).  Don't hyphenate.
''Example:''
: 『コードギアス 復活のルルーシュ』TVCM第1弾 ルルーシュ編 (15秒) - "Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch" TVCM Dai 1 Dan Lelouch Hen (15 Byou) ({{short|e212589|Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch - T5 - "Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch" TVCM No. 1 Lelouch Version (0:15))}}, the 1st Lelouch version PV)
: Lite 第1話 こたつむり - Lite Dai 1 Wa: Kotatsumuri ({{short|e156905|Lite 1: Kotatsnail}}, the 1st episode of the ''Lite'' series of specials)


=== 部 (bu) ===
=== 部 (bu) ===
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: べんきょうしました - Benkyou Shimashita
: べんきょうしました - Benkyou Shimashita


=== 品 (hin / ひん) ===
Separate 品 (Hin ("article, item​")), except when it's actually part of another word (e.g. 作品 (Sakuhin (Work/Performance)).  Don't hyphenate.
''Example:''
: 实验品 - Jikken Hin ({{short|a12739|Jikken Hin Kazoku}}, lit: "Experimental Product Family")
=== ではありません (de wa Arimasen) ===
This phrase is composed of particle + particle + verb + negation. It can be translated as "is not".
There is a special bastardization (じゃない) of this phrase which should be transcribed in the following way:
じゃ = de wa = ja
The particles ''de wa'' have been merged into ''ja''
ない = Arimasen = Nai
The verb and negation ''Arimasen'' have been turned into ''Nai''
Thus ''de wa Arimasen'' is turned into ''ja Nai''.


===Honorifics and Suffixes expressing status/job===
===Honorifics and Suffixes expressing status/job===
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* -chan (and all its variations) (ちゃん)
* -chan (and all its variations) (ちゃん)
* -chi (ち)
* -chi (ち)
* -denka (電化)
* -denka (殿下)
* -fujin (夫人)
* -fujin (夫人)
* -hakase (博士)
* -hakase (博士)
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* -heika (陛下)
* -heika (陛下)
* -hime (姫)
* -hime (姫)
* -joshin (女神)
* -kakka (閣下)
* -kakka (閣下)
* -keibu (警部)
* -keibu (警部)
* -keibuho (警部補)
* -keibuho (警部補)
* -kouhai (後輩)
* -kouhai (後輩)
* -kun (くん)
* -kun (君/くん)
* -kyou (卿)
* -kyou (卿)
* -kyouju (教授)
* -kyouju (教授)
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* -senpai (先輩)
* -senpai (先輩)
* -sensei (先生)
* -sensei (先生)
* -shi ()
* -shi ()
* -shimai (姉妹)
* -shimai (姉妹)
* -shinpu (神父)
* -shinpu (神父)
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* 赤ちゃん - Akachan ("Baby")
* 赤ちゃん - Akachan ("Baby")
* 神様 - Kamisama ("God")
* 神様 - Kamisama ("God")
* 白雪姫 - Shirayukihime ("Snow White")
* 白雪姫 - Shirayukihime ("Snow White"), but [http://anidb.net/a11082 Akagami no Shirayuki-hime] because Shirayuki is the actual name of the [http://anidb.net/ch73404 title character] (see [http://anidb.net/c7271269 creq])
* 歌姫 - Utahime ("Songstress")
* 歌姫 - Utahime ("Songstress")
* 人魚姫 - Ningyohime ("Mermaid Princess")
* 人魚姫 - Ningyohime ("Mermaid Princess")
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===たち (tachi)===
===たち (tachi)===
Always split from the associated word and set '-'.
Always split from the associated word and set '-', '''unless''' the word is a pronoun or dictionary word, in which case keep glued.


i.e.<br>
i.e.<br>
<tt>Elf o Karu Mono-tachi</tt>
<tt>Elf o Karu Mono-tachi</tt><br>
but: '''kimitachi''', '''oretachi''', '''anatatachi''', '''omaetachi''', '''watashitachi''', '''hitotachi''', and so on.


===色 (iro)===
===色 (iro)===
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: 灰色 - Haiiro ("Grey")
: 灰色 - Haiiro ("Grey")
: 緋色 - Hiiro, Hishoku ("Scarlet", "Cardinal")
: 緋色 - Hiiro, Hishoku ("Scarlet", "Cardinal")
: 黄色い - Kiiroi ("Yellow")
: 黄色 - Kiiro ("Yellow")
: 金いろ - Kin'iro ("Golden")
: 金色 - Kin'iro ("Golden")
: 金色 - Konjiki ("Golden")
: 金色/こんじき - Konjiki ("Golden")
: 水色 - Mizuiro ("Light Blue")
: 水色 - Mizuiro ("Light Blue")
: 桃色 - Momoiro ("Pink", "Rosy")
: 桃色 - Momoiro ("Pink", "Rosy")
: 七色/なないろ - Nanairo (describes the seven colours of the rainbow)
: 七色/なないろ - Nanairo (describes the seven colours of the rainbow)
: 鈍色/にびいろ - Nibiiro ("Gray Mouse Coloured")
: 音色 - Neiro ("Tone colour", "tone (quality)")
: 音色 - Neiro ("Tone colour", "tone (quality)")
: 瑠璃色 - Ruriiro ("Azure")
: 瑠璃色 - Ruriiro ("Azure")
: 緑色 - Ryokushoku/Midoriiro ("Green")
: 緑色 - Ryokushoku/Midoriiro ("Green")
: 桜色/サクライロ/さくらいろ - Sakurairo ("Pink", "Cherry Blossom Coloured")
: 桜色 - Sakurairo ("Pink", "Cherry Blossom Coloured")
: 真珠色 - Shinjuiro ("Pearl Grey")
: 真珠色 - Shinjuiro ("Pearl Grey")
: 秋色 - Shuushoku ("Autumn/Fall Scenery")
: 秋色 - Shuushoku ("Autumn/Fall Scenery")
: 空色/ソライロ - Sorairo ("Sky Coloured")
: 空色/そらいろ - Sorairo ("Sky Coloured")
: 鴇色 - Tokiiro ("Pale Pink", "Pale Rose")
: 鴇色/ときいろ - Tokiiro ("Pale Pink", "Pale Rose")
: 山吹色/やまぶきいろ - Yamabukiiro ("Bright Yellow")


====Non-Dictionary Words====
====Non-Dictionary Words====
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Please note that there is a whole lot more of counters used in the Japanese language that are not included in this list, making this list expandable.
Please note that there is a whole lot more of counters used in the Japanese language that are not included in this list, making this list expandable.
=== Arabic Numerals and Counters -- General Rule ===
As a general rule, Arabic numbers should be written as Japanese words when part of a word; see examples below.
While incorrect, the ''Alternate Transcription'' can be added as a synonym/alias transcription, to allow for searchability of the entry.
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!  Text
!  Hiragana
!  style="background-color: #66BB66;"| Correct (Preferred) Transcription
!  style="background-color: #FFA500;"| Incorrect (Alternate) Transcription
!  style="color: white; background-color: #DD0000;"| Incorrect Transcription
|-
|  3つ
|  みっつ
|  Mittsu
|  3-tsu
|  3tsu
|-
|  3月
|  さんがつ
|  Sangatsu
|  3-gatsu
|  3gatsu
|-
|}
=== Rules for Transcribing Dates ===
The following are general guidelines for transcribing dates, both when used to refer to specific calendar dates (i.e. 25.06.2018), and when counting dates as units (i.e. "it has been 20 years", "2 months until the deadline", "I leave in 17 days").
==== -- "Full" Dates ====
If a "full" date is given without Arabic numerals, transcribe the kanji in full.
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!  Text
!  Hiragana
!  Transcription
|-
|  二〇一六年十二月十一日
|  にせんじゅうろくねん じゅうにがつ じゅういちにち
|  nisenjuurokunen juunigatsu juuichinichi
|-
|  二〇一六年十二月
|  にせんじゅうろくねん じゅうにがつ
|  nisenjuurokunen juunigatsu
|-
|  十二月十一日
|  じゅうにがつ じゅういちにち
|  juunigatsu juuichinichi
|-
|}
If a "full" date is given with Arabic numerals, leave the numerals in the transcription.
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!  Text
!  Hiragana
!  Transcription
|-
|  2016年12月11日
|  2016ねん12がつ11にち
|  2016-nen 12-gatsu 11-nichi
|-
|  2016年12月
|  2016ねん12がつ
|  2016-nen 12-gatsu
|-
|  12月11日
|  4がつ11にち
|  12-gatsu 11-nichi
|-
|}
==== -- Year (Counter: 年, -nen) ====
If 年 is being used to count the number of years as a counter object, ie 12年 as in "twelve years", transcribe in full: ''juuninen''.
This policy does not apply to the 年 (nen, year) counter, when being used as a date. For dates regarding specific calendar years, such as "2016年" meaning "the calendar year 2016", transcribe as "2016-nen". If given in kanji, such as "二〇一六年", transcribe in full as "nisenjuuroku-nen".
==== -- Month (Counter: 月, -gatsu) ====
The 12 months of the year are considered dictionary terms, always transcribe in full.  Similar to how the months in English are named January through December, the Japanese months are named 一月/1月 through 十二月/12月.  When used to refer to the month, transcribe in full, such as ''ichigatsu'' and ''juunigatsu''.
===== --- Specific Exception: Month as a counter: (ヶ月, kagetsu) =====
If 月 is being used to count the number of months as a counter object, ie 12'''ヶ'''月 as in "twelve months", transcribe in full: ''juuni'''ka'''getsu''.
List of the 12 dictionary months:
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!  #
!  Text
!  Hiragana
!  Transcription
|-
|  1
|  一月
|  いちがつ
|  Ichigatsu
|-
|  2
|  二月
|  にがつ
|  Nigatsu
|-
|  3
|  三月
|  さんがつ
|  Sangatsu
|-
|  4
|  四月
|  しがつ
|  Shigatsu
|-
|  5
|  五月
|  ごがつ
|  Gogatsu
|-
|  6
|  六月
|  ろくがつ
|  Rokugatsu
|-
|  7
|  七月
|  しちがつ
|  Shichigatsu
|-
|  8
|  八月
|  はちがつ
|  Hachigatsu
|-
|  9
|  九月
|  くがつ
|  Kugatsu
|-
|  10
|  十月
|  じゅうがつ
|  Juugatsu
|-
|  11
|  十一月
|  じゅういちがつ
|  Juuichigatsu
|-
|  12
|  十二月
|  じゅうにがつ
|  Juunigatsu
|-
|}
==== -- Day (Counter: 日, -nichi) ====
If 日 is being used to count the number of days as a counter object, ie 11日 as in "eleven days", transcribe in full: ''juuichinichi''.
However, 1st to 10th, 14th, 20th, and 24th, are irregular.
This policy does not apply to the 日 (nichi, day) counter, when being used as a date. For dates regarding specific calendar days, such as "11日" meaning "the calendar date of the 11th", transcribe as "11-nichi".  If given in kanji, such as "十一日", transcribe in full as "juuichinichi".
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!  #
!  Text
!  Hiragana
!  Transcription
|-
|  1
|  一日
|  ついたち
|  Tsuitachi
|-
|  2
|  二日
|  ふつか
|  Futsuka
|-
|  3
|  三日
|  みっか
|  Mikka
|-
|  4
|  四日
|  よっか
|  Yokka
|-
|  5
|  五日
|  いつか
|  Itsuka
|-
|  6
|  六日
|  むいか
|  Muika
|-
|  7
|  七日
|  なのか
|  Nanoka
|-
|  8
|  八日
|  ようか
|  Youka
|-
|  9
|  九日
|  ここのか
|  Kokonoka
|-
|  10
|  十日
|  とおか
|  Tooka
|-
|  14
|  十四日
|  じゅうよっか
|  Juuyokka
|-
|  20
|  二十日
|  はつか
|  Hatsuka
|-
|  24
|  二十四日
|  にじゅうよっか
|  Nijuuyokka
|-
|}
=== Japanese Addresses and Arabic Numerals ===
When Arabic numerals are given in a Japanese address, do NOT transcribe the Arabic numeral.  If the address contains non-Arabic numbers, transcribe into Arabic numbers.
Japan Post has also defined a standard English address format.  The order is reversed when writing in roman letters, to better suit Western conventions.
More info can be found on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_addressing_system this Wikipedia article].
'''Examples:'''
* {{short|a4678|3-Choume no Tama: Uchi no Tama Shirimasenka?}}
* {{short|a5334|3-Choume no Tama: Onegai! Momo-chan o Sagashite!!}}
* {{short|a12416|3-Choume no Tama: Uchi no Tama Shirimasenka?}}
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!  Description
!  Japanese
!  Transcription
!  Japan Post Standard English
|-
|  Full address
|  〒100-8994<br />東京都中央区八重洲一丁目5番3号<br />東京中央郵便局
|  〒100-8994<br />Tokyo-to Chuuou-ku Yaesu 1-Choume 5-ban 3-gou<br />Tokyo Chuuou Yuubin-kyoku
|  Tokyo Central Post Office<br />5-3, Yaesu 1-Chome<br />Chuo-ku, Tokyo 100-8994
|-
|  District, block, and building number (choume and bangou)
|  八重洲<span style="color: red;">'''一丁'''</span>目5番3号
|  Yaesu '''1-Choume''' 5-ban 3-gou
|  5-3, Yaesu 1-Chome
|-
|  District, block, and building number (choume and bangou)
|  八重洲<span style="color: red;">'''1丁'''</span>目5番3号
|  Yaesu '''1-Choume''' 5-ban 3-gou
|  5-3, Yaesu 1-Chome
|-
|}


=== Counting in General (Counter: つ, -tsu) ===
=== Counting in General (Counter: つ, -tsu) ===
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|}
|}


=== Small Animals (up until the size of a dog); also rolls of cloth (Counter: 匹, -hiki) ===
=== Age (Counter: 歳 / 才, -sai) ===
If age (歳 / 才) is given with an Arabic numeral, it should NOT be merged.
 
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!  #
!  Kanji
!  Hiragana
!  Transcription
|-
|  1
|  1歳 / 1才
|  1さい
|  1-sai
|-
|  2
|  2歳 / 2才
|  2さい
|  2-sai
|-
|  12
|  12歳 / 3才
|  12さい
|  12-sai
|-
|}
 
Otherwise, merge if given in kana.
 
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!  #
!  Kanji
!  Hiragana
!  Transcription
|-
|  1
|  一歳 / 一才
|  いっさい
|  Issai
|-
|  2
|  二歳 / 二才
|  にさい
|  Nisai
|-
|  3
|  三歳 / 三才
|  さんさい
|  Sansai
|-
|  4
|  四歳 / 四才
|  よんさい
|  Yonsai
|-
|  5
|  五歳 / 五才
|  ごさい
|  Gosai
|-
|  6
|  六歳 / 六才
|  ろくさい
|  Rokusai
|-
|  7
|  七歳 / 七才
|  ななさい
|  Nanasai
|-
|  8
|  八歳 / 八才
|  はっさい
|  Hassai
|-
|  9
|  九歳 / 九才
|  きゅうさい
|  Kyuusai
|-
|  10
|  十歳 / 十才
|  じゅうさい
|  Juusai
|-
|  20
|  二十歳 / 二十才
|  はたち
|  Hatachi
|-
|}
 
=== Small Animals + rolls of cloth (Counter: 匹, -hiki) ===
Small Animals (up until the size of a dog); also rolls of cloth.


{| class="wikitable" border="1"
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
Line 621: Line 1,099:
|}
|}


=== Stories/Tales (Counter: 話); also: Birds and Rabbits (Counter: 羽); Bunches, Bundles, Sheaves, Letters (Counter: 把, -wa) ===
=== Stories/Tales (Counter: 話, -wa) ===
=== Birds and Rabbits (Counter: 羽, -wa) ===
=== Bunches, Bundles, Sheaves, Letters (Counter: 把, -wa) ===
All 3 of these counters are pronounced the same; hence, they are transcribed the same as well.
* Stories/Tales (Counter: 話, -wa)
* Birds and Rabbits (Counter: 羽, -wa)
* Bunches, Bundles, Sheaves, Letters (Counter: 把, -wa)


{| class="wikitable" border="1"
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
Line 1,115: Line 1,599:
|-
|-
|}
|}
== Punctuation ==
Use international punctuation rules:
* space after comma (,) but not before
* space after last full stop (.), questionmark (?), exclamation mark (!)
* use no space after the aforementioned if it's the end of the sentence/expression
For Japanese titles:
* replace any Japanese fullwidth characters with equivalent halfwidth character
* replace Japanese comma (、), Japanese full stop (。), questionmark (?), exclamation mark (!) and, where applicable, space to meet punctuation rules


= Practical guide =
= Practical guide =
staff
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