Translation guide
The English word "anger" refers to a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility. In Japanese, expressing anger directly can be culturally sensitive, and the appropriate word or phrase depends heavily on context, intensity, and formality.
To refer to the emotion of anger in a general sense.
The most common and neutral noun for anger. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
彼の怒りは収まらなかった。
His anger did not subside.
A slightly more literary or formal term for anger, often implying an outward display of anger.
彼は怒気を含んだ声で言った。
He spoke with anger in his voice.
A strong, often righteous anger; literary or formal. Rare in everyday speech.
彼の不正に対する忿怒は激しかった。
His anger at the injustice was intense.
To express the action of becoming angry.
The most common verb meaning 'to get angry'. Can be used for both momentary and sustained anger.
彼はすぐ怒る。
He gets angry easily.
そんなに怒らないでください。
Please don't be so angry.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to get angry' or 'to be offended'. Very common in spoken Japanese. Literally 'stomach stands up'.
Slang for 'to snap' or 'to lose one's temper'. Implies a sudden, explosive outburst.
彼はついにキレた。
He finally snapped.
To be indignant or resentful; a stronger, more formal term than 怒る.
To express causing anger in someone else.
Causative form of 怒る, meaning 'to make someone angry'.
彼を怒らせてしまった。
I made him angry (unintentionally).
Literally 'to buy anger', meaning to incur someone's anger through one's actions.
彼の失礼な態度が上司の怒りを買った。
His rude attitude incurred the boss's anger.
To rub someone the wrong way; to irritate or provoke anger, often by saying or doing something that goes against the person's grain.
彼の言葉は彼女の神経を逆撫でした。
His words rubbed her the wrong way and made her angry.
To describe an angry look or expression.
Literally 'angry face'. The most straightforward way to describe an angry expression.
彼は怒った顔で私を見た。
He looked at me with an angry face.
Literally 'scary face', often used to describe an angry or stern expression that intimidates.
父は怖い顔で怒った。
My father got angry with a scary face.
A stern, grim, or severe expression, often associated with anger or displeasure.
彼は険しい表情で黙っていた。
He remained silent with a stern expression (of anger).
To express anger that is held back or simmering.
To suppress or control one's anger.
彼は怒りを抑えようとした。
He tried to suppress his anger.
An idiomatic expression meaning one's anger is not subsiding; literally 'the bug in one's stomach won't settle'. Used when you can't calm down.
あいつの顔を見ると腹の虫が治まらない。
Just seeing his face makes my anger boil up.
Pent-up anger or resentment; frustration that has built up over time.
Saying '私は怒っている' (I am angry) can sound overly direct or childish in Japanese. It is often more natural to describe the situation or use phrases like '腹が立つ' or 'ムカつく' (slang) to express your feelings indirectly.
怒る (okoru) means to get angry, often with an emotional connotation. 叱る (shikaru) means to scold or reprimand, which may involve anger but is more about correcting behavior. Be careful not to confuse them when talking about disciplining someone.
In formal or business settings, direct expressions of anger are avoided. Instead, use phrases like '遺憾に思う' (ikan ni omou, to find regrettable) or '不快に感じる' (fukai ni kanjiru, to feel displeased) to convey dissatisfaction without overt anger.
彼は怒りを隠せなかった。
He couldn't hide his anger.
彼女は怒って部屋を出て行った。
She left the room in anger.
彼の言葉に私は怒りでいっぱいになった。
His words filled me with anger.
彼の言い方には腹が立った。
I got angry at the way he said it.
彼は不正を憤った。
He was indignant at the injustice.
彼は鬱憤を晴らすために叫んだ。
He shouted to vent his pent-up anger.