manga
3 synonyms for manga, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A comic or graphic novel originating in Japan.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
graphic novel
japanese comic
How to use manga
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
read manga
manga series
manga artist
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese manga, itself from Chinese characters meaning roughly "free, unrestrained" plus "drawing." The word took off after an 1814 book by the artist Hokusai used it as a title.
Full origin of manga →Frequently asked questions
What does “manga” mean?
The word “manga” means a comic or graphic novel originating in Japan. In plain terms, japanese comic books, or comics anywhere drawn in that same visual style.
How do you pronounce “manga”?
“Manga” is pronounced MANG-guh (/ˈmɑŋɡə/ in IPA).
How do you use “manga” in a sentence?
Here is “manga” used in a sentence: “She spends her allowance on manga from the import bookstore.”
What part of speech is “manga”?
“Manga” is a noun.
Where does the word “manga” come from?
The word “manga” dates back to around 1814 and comes from Chinese. Borrowed from Japanese manga, itself from Chinese characters meaning roughly "free, unrestrained" plus "drawing." The word took off after an 1814 book by the artist Hokusai used it as a title.
Is “manga” a common word?
“Manga” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “manga” have?
“Manga” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a comic or graphic novel originating in Japan.
What is the difference between manga and anime?
Manga refers to comics or graphic novels originating in Japan, which are printed and read on the page. Anime refers to Japanese animation, so the key difference is that manga is drawn comics while anime is moving pictures.
What is the difference between manga and a Western comic book?
Both are illustrated stories, but manga originates in Japan and is traditionally printed in black and white and read from right to left. Western comic books are more often in colour and read from left to right.
Is manga read left to right or right to left?
Traditional Japanese manga is read from right to left, both across the page and through the panels. Editions translated for Western readers are sometimes flipped to read left to right, though many now keep the original direction.
Is the plural of manga 'manga' or 'mangas'?
In English, manga is usually treated as uncountable, so "manga" serves as both singular and plural, as in "she reads a lot of manga." The form "mangas" is occasionally used but is far less common.
