Meaning and Usage
"ラベル" primarily means "label" or "tag" in Japanese, used for physical tags on products, clothes, or packaging. It can also be used metaphorically to describe social or personal labels that people might be assigned.
Common Contexts
You will often see "ラベル" on product packaging where ingredient or usage information is provided. It's also common on clothing tags indicating washing instructions. In conversation, it can refer to stereotypes or categorizations people dislike.
Collocations and Patterns
- ラベルを貼る (to put a label on): used when physically attaching a label.
- ラベルを見る (to look at the label): checking information.
- ラベルを貼られる (to be labeled): often used metaphorically about being categorized or stereotyped.
Register and Nuance
"ラベル" is a loanword and commonly used in casual and formal contexts alike. It is neutral in politeness and widely understood.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse "ラベル" with "シール" (seal/sticker), which can sometimes overlap but "ラベル" usually implies informative tags rather than decorative stickers.