AR

ETYMOLOGY:
Abbreviation of English "Augmented Reality." Pronounced えーあーる in Japanese.

USAGE:
AR overlays digital information onto the real world, typically viewed through a smartphone camera or special glasses. Popularized in Japan through games like Pokemon GO.

COMMON APPLICATIONS:

• ゲーム: location-based and interactive games
• ショッピング: virtual try-on, furniture placement
• ナビゲーション: navigation and wayfinding
• 教育(きょういく): educational overlays and interactive learning

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

• ARアプリ: AR application
• AR技術(ぎじゅつ): AR technology
• AR機能(きのう): AR function/feature
• AR体験(たいけん): AR experience

CONTRAST:

• AR (拡張(かくちょう)現実(げんじつ)): digital overlay on the real world
• VR (仮想(かそう)現実(げんじつ)): fully immersive virtual environment
• MR (複合(ふくごう)現実(げんじつ)): mixed reality, blending real and virtual

The full Japanese term 拡張(かくちょう)現実(げんじつ) exists but the English abbreviation AR is far more common in everyday use.