Translation guide
To behave in a way that shows confidence, arrogance, or self-importance, often to impress others or assert dominance.
Describing someone who behaves as if they are more important or powerful than others, often in an annoying way.
A common phrase meaning to act important or superior. It can be used for both temporary behavior and general attitude.
He always acts big.
Please don't act so big.
A verb meaning to act bossy or throw one's weight around. Often implies a domineering attitude.
He acts big toward his subordinates.
Literally 'attitude is big', meaning someone has an arrogant or overbearing demeanor.
That new guy acts big.
Literally 'to lean back', this idiom describes someone acting arrogantly with a pompous posture. More vivid and colloquial.
He acts big even in front of the president.
Describing someone who behaves with self-assurance, often to make an impression or take charge.
Literally 'to come out big', meaning to act boldly or take a confident, sometimes risky, stance. Often used in negotiations or challenges.
In negotiations, you should act big.
Means to act with dignity and confidence, without being timid. More positive than arrogant.
To behave with full confidence. A more literal description of acting confidently.
Describing someone who tries to impress others by acting in an exaggerated or ostentatious manner.
To put on airs or show off, often by pretending to be richer or more important than one is.
He always acts big by driving a luxury car.
To act like a big shot. Often used sarcastically for someone pretending to be a VIP.
Literally 'to take a big attitude', a colloquial way to say someone acts big or arrogant.
The English phrase 'act big' does not have a direct one-word equivalent in Japanese. Translating it literally as '大きく行動する' would sound unnatural and be misunderstood. Use the phrases above depending on the nuance you want to convey.
Both mean to act arrogantly, but 偉そうにする focuses on the attitude of superiority, while 威張る emphasizes bossy or domineering behavior. 偉そうにする can be used for someone who just looks down on others, whereas 威張る often involves actively ordering people around.
He acted big even during his first presentation.
She acted big with full confidence.
He acts big, but he's just a regular employee.
That guy has been acting big lately.