Translation guide
A habitual gesture, way of speaking, or behavioral trait, often distinctive to an individual.
A distinctive, often unconscious, physical or verbal habit that characterizes a person.
A deliberate, often exaggerated, stylistic trait in acting, writing, or art, sometimes criticized as artificial.
Directly translating 'mannerism' as マンネリズム is only appropriate in artistic or critical contexts. For personal habits, use 癖 or 仕草.
癖 often implies a negative or quirky habit, while 仕草 is more neutral or positive, focusing on the visual charm of a gesture. Use 癖 for unconscious habits, 仕草 for expressive movements.
He has a habit of touching his hair when he talks.
Refers to a gesture or movement, often with a nuance of charm or expressiveness. Can describe a mannerism that is characteristic of a person.
彼女の話すときの仕草がとても可愛い。
Her gestures when she talks are very cute.
Specifically refers to bodily gestures, often used in the context of communication or performance. Can describe a mannerism involving body language.
彼は大げさな身振りで話す。
He speaks with exaggerated gestures.
A verbal mannerism; a phrase or word one frequently and habitually says.
「なんていうか」が彼の口癖だ。
"How should I put it" is his verbal tic.
A more formal and descriptive phrase meaning 'characteristic behavior', used when explaining a mannerism in a clinical or analytical context.
その患者は繰り返し手を洗う特徴的な行動を示した。
The patient exhibited the characteristic behavior of repeatedly washing their hands.
Loanword from English 'mannerism', used in artistic or critical contexts to describe a stylistic affectation or a period in art history (Mannerism).
彼の演技にはマンネリズムが見られる。
His acting shows mannerisms.
A phrase meaning 'formulaic way of doing things', implying a lack of originality and over-reliance on stylistic quirks.
その作家の文体は型にはまったやり方で、新鮮味がない。
The author's style is mannered and lacks freshness.
Literally 'exaggerated expression', used to describe a stylistic mannerism that is overly dramatic or artificial.
その映画の演出は誇張された表現に満ちている。
The film's direction is full of exaggerated mannerisms.