1.
romaji input — the method of typing Japanese on a keyboard by entering romaji, which is then converted to kana and kanji
The most common way to type Japanese on computers and smartphones: the user types Latin letters such as 'ka' and the IME (input method editor) converts them to か, and then candidates for kanji conversion are offered. Contrasts with かな入力, in which each key on the keyboard is mapped directly to a kana character.
ローマ字入力に慣れている。
I'm used to romaji input.
ローマ字入力とかな入力、どちらを使いますか。
Which do you use, romaji input or kana input?
日本の若者のほとんどはローマ字入力で文字を打っている。
Most young people in Japan type using romaji input.
設定でローマ字入力からかな入力に切り替えることができる。
You can switch from romaji input to kana input in the settings.
The default Japanese input method on virtually all modern devices. Users type Latin letters, which are converted to kana, then optionally to kanji via the IME.
USAGE:
- Used in any discussion about typing, computers, smartphones, or language learning.
- In spoken language, often shortened simply to ローマ字: 「ローマ字で打つ」 (to type using romaji).
- For smartphones, the alternative to ローマ字入力 is フリック入力 (flick input), which is now the more common method on phones.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ローマ字入力で打つ: to type using romaji input
- ローマ字入力に切り替える: to switch to romaji input
- ローマ字入力に慣れる: to get used to romaji input
SIMILAR WORDS:
- かな入力: kana input — each key is a kana character; more efficient but requires memorizing the kana key layout.
- フリック入力: flick input — the standard smartphone method, using kana pads with directional flicks.
- 音声入力: voice input — dictation.