How do you say 'Tenki' (転記) in English? Complete Accounting Terms Guide

“How do I explain ‘Tenki’ to my overseas colleagues?”

If you work in a global company or with international partners, you’ve probably faced this challenge. This article provides a comprehensive guide to expressing Japanese accounting term “転記 (Tenki)” in English.

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What is “Tenki” (転記)?

Definition

Tenki (転記) literally means “transcribing” or “copying over” - the act of copying data from one document or system to another.

Japanese	Romaji	Basic Meaning
転記	Tenki	Copying data from one place to another
転記する	Tenki suru	To transcribe, to copy over
転記ミス	Tenki misu	Transcription error

Common Use Cases

Source	Destination	Example
Invoice PDF	Accounting software	Entering invoice data
Order email	Sales management system	Order entry
Delivery note	Inventory spreadsheet	Inventory update
Bank statement	General ledger	Cash recording

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3 Ways to Say “Tenki” in English

In accounting and administrative contexts, “Tenki” can be translated in three main ways depending on the context.

1. Transcription

This is the closest to the original meaning of “copying text”. It implies copying from one format to another.

Usage	Example	Context
General copying	Transcription errors	General business
Audio to text	Audio transcription	Meetings
Handwritten to digital	Data transcription	Data entry

Example sentences:

• “Transcription errors often occur during data entry.”
• “We need to minimize transcription mistakes.”
• “The transcription from paper to digital took 2 hours.”

2. Posting

A technical accounting term referring to transferring journal entries to the general ledger.

Term	Meaning	Context
Posting	Recording entries	Accounting
Post entries	Record transactions	Bookkeeping
Posted	Recorded/Completed	Status

Example sentences:

• “Post journal entries to the ledger.”
• “All transactions have been posted for this period.”
• “Please verify posting before closing.”

3. Data Entry

In job descriptions and practical workflows, it is most commonly called “Data Entry”.

Term	Meaning	Context
Data entry	Inputting data	General
Data entry clerk	Person who inputs data	Job title
Manual data entry	Hand-keying data	Process

Example sentences:

• “We need to automate manual data entry.”
• “Data entry errors cost us thousands annually.”
• “Reducing data entry time is our priority.”

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Comparison of Terms

English Term	Japanese Equivalent	Best Used For
Transcription	転記・書き写し	General copying, changing formats
Posting	仕訳転記	Accounting, ledger work
Data Entry	データ入力	Job descriptions, workflows
Copying	コピー	General duplication
Recording	記録	Documentation

Nuance Differences

Term	Nuance	Formality
Transcription	Academic, precise	High
Posting	Technical accounting	High
Data Entry	Practical, operational	Medium
Copying	Simple action	Low

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Global Trend: “No More Data Entry”

Looking at SaaS and accounting trends in English-speaking countries, the discussion has shifted from “How to enter faster” to “How to eliminate Data Entry”.

Key Automation Terms

Term	Meaning	Application
Auto-Capture	Automatically ingesting documents	Invoice processing
Zero Data Entry	Aiming for zero manual entry	Workflow goal
AI Agent	AI that operates systems for humans	Process automation
Touchless Processing	No human touch required	Full automation
Straight-Through Processing	End-to-end automation	Transaction processing

Evolution of Data Entry

Era	Approach	Example
1990s	Manual data entry	Typing from paper
2000s	OCR + Manual review	Scan and verify
2010s	Template-based extraction	Predefined rules
2020s	AI-powered automation	Context understanding

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Common Phrases for Global Communication

Explaining the Problem

English	Japanese Context
”We have too much manual data entry.”	手入力が多すぎる
”Transcription errors are causing delays.”	転記ミスが遅延の原因
”Our data entry process is person-dependent.”	属人化している

Proposing Solutions

English	Japanese Context
”We should automate data entry.”	データ入力を自動化すべき
”Let’s implement zero data entry.”	ゼロ転記を実現しよう
”AI can handle the transcription.”	AIが転記を処理できる

Discussing Results

English	Japanese Context
”We reduced data entry time by 90%.”	転記時間を90%削減
”Transcription errors dropped to zero.”	転記ミスがゼロに
”No more manual posting required.”	手動転記が不要に

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Related Terms Dictionary

Error-Related Terms

English	Japanese	Usage
Transcription error	転記ミス	Error in copying
Data entry mistake	入力ミス	Input error
Typo	タイプミス	Typing error
Keying error	キー入力ミス	Keyboard error

Process-Related Terms

English	Japanese	Usage
Data validation	データ検証	Checking accuracy
Double-entry	複式記帳	Bookkeeping method
Reconciliation	照合・突合	Matching data
Verification	確認	Checking correctness

Automation-Related Terms

English	Japanese	Usage
Automated data capture	自動データ取込	Auto input
AI extraction	AI抽出	AI-based reading
Machine learning	機械学習	Learning algorithms
Intelligent automation	インテリジェント自動化	Smart automation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which term should I use in emails to overseas colleagues?

A. For general business: “Data Entry”. For accounting contexts: “Posting”. For formal documents: “Transcription”.

Q. How do I say “転記作業” in English?

A. “Data entry work” or “Transcription tasks” are commonly used.

Q. What’s the difference between “Posting” and “Recording”?

A. “Posting” specifically refers to transferring entries to a ledger. “Recording” is more general documentation.

Q. Is “Zero Data Entry” a real term?

A. Yes! It’s a recognized goal in accounting automation, meaning to eliminate all manual data input.

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Feature	Capability
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