Yuka知名度 vs 支持率 — both are used in Japanese media and politics, but they measure very different things. Let's explore what each means and when to use them!
ReiThese are important words for reading Japanese news or following politics. Understanding the difference will really help you follow current events in Japanese!
At a Glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 知名度 | ちめいど | Name recognition, fame, how well-known | Celebrities, brands, politicians — how widely known they are |
| 支持率 | しじりつ | Approval rating, support rate | Politicians, policies, governments — how much support/approval they have |
知名度 (ちめいど) — Name Recognition / Fame
知名度 means how well-known something or someone is — regardless of whether people like them or not. A person can have high 知名度 (everyone knows who they are) without having high 支持率 (many people don't support them).
- 知名度が高い — well-known, famous
- 知名度が低い — not well-known, obscure
- 知名度を上げる — to raise one's profile / increase name recognition
- 知名度ゼロ — unknown
Yuka彼女はドラマに出てから知名度が一気に上がった。
After appearing in the drama, her name recognition skyrocketed.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| この商品はまだ知名度が低い。 | This product is not yet well-known. |
| SNSで知名度を上げたい。 | I want to raise my profile on social media. |
| 知名度があっても実力がなければ続かない。 | Even with name recognition, you can't last without skill. |
支持率 (しじりつ) — Approval Rating
支持率 means approval or support rate — specifically, how many people support or approve of someone or something. It's the go-to word in Japanese political coverage.
- 内閣支持率 (ないかくしじりつ) — cabinet approval rating
- 支持率が上がる / 下がる — approval rating rises / falls
- 支持率60% — 60% approval rating
- 支持率が急落する — approval rating plummets
Rei内閣支持率 is one of the most watched numbers in Japanese politics. Major newspapers conduct regular polls (世論調査, よろんちょうさ) to track it. When it falls below 30%, it's often called 危険水域 (danger zone).
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 首相の支持率が急落した。 | The prime minister's approval rating dropped sharply. |
| この政策は支持率を上げた。 | This policy boosted the approval rating. |
| 支持率調査が行われた。 | A support rate survey was conducted. |
Key Difference: Known vs. Liked
| 知名度 | 支持率 | |
|---|---|---|
| Measures | Awareness / how widely known | Approval / how much support |
| Range | High/low: 知名度が高い | Percentage: 支持率30% |
| Requires opinion? | No — just awareness | Yes — active support/approval |
| Used for | Celebrities, brands, politicians | Politicians, policies, governments |
| Example | 知名度が高い芸人 | 内閣支持率 |
Quick Quiz
Choose 知名度 or 支持率:
- 首相の___が30%を切った。(The prime minister's ___ fell below 30%.) → 支持率
- この新人歌手はまだ___が低い。(This new singer still has low ___.) → 知名度
- スキャンダルで___が急落した。(The ___ plummeted due to the scandal.) → 支持率
- テレビ出演で___が一気に上がった。(TV appearances boosted ___ overnight.) → 知名度
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