原 文(げんぶん)

げんぶん

noun

original text; the original

language

1. original text; original wording; the original

The text in its original form before translation, editing, or adaptation.

原文(げんぶん)を確認(かくにん)する。

To check the original text.

この小説(しょうせつ)は原文(げんぶん)で読(よ)みたい。

I want to read this novel in the original.

翻訳(ほんやく)は良(よ)くできているが、原文(げんぶん)のニュアンスとは少(すこ)し違(ちが)う。

The translation is well done, but it differs slightly from the nuance of the original text.

Composed of 原(げん) (original/source) and 文(ぶん) (text/writing). Most commonly used when discussing translations, quotations, or edited works where comparison to the original is relevant.

Common collocations

原文(げんぶん)で読(よ)む: to read in the original language
原文(げんぶん)のまま: as it is in the original
原文(げんぶん)に忠実(ちゅうじつ): faithful to the original text
原文(げんぶん)を引用(いんよう)する: to quote the original text

Similar words

原作(げんさく): original work — refers to the original creative work (novel, manga, etc.) that an adaptation is based on
原稿(げんこう): manuscript, draft — a written document before publication
原典(げんてん): original source — the primary source document, often academic

Related Words

Compare: 原作(げんさく) (original work)

Compare: 原稿(げんこう) (manuscript, draft)

Compare: 原典(げんてん) (original source)

Related: 翻訳(ほんやく) (translation)

Related: 訳(やく)す (to translate)

Compare: 引用文(いんようぶん) (a quotation)

Compare: 原語(げんご) (original language)

Compare: 訳文(やくぶん) (translated text)

general

Added 2026.3.30 3:10 · Revised 2026.9.29 22:17

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