Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing arrogance involves a range of words and phrases that convey overbearing pride, conceit, or looking down on others. The most common and direct term is 傲慢 (ごうまん), but other options like 横柄 (おうへい) or 高慢 (こうまん) carry slightly different nuances. The choice depends on the context and the degree of formality.
Describing a person or attitude that is haughty, overbearing, or full of oneself.
The most common and direct translation for 'arrogant'. It describes an attitude of looking down on others and being overconfident in one's own abilities or status. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
He takes an arrogant attitude.
Arrogant people are disliked.
Similar to 傲慢 but often implies a more domineering or high-handed manner, especially in behavior or speech. Commonly used to describe someone who acts superior and bossy.
I don't like his arrogant way of speaking.
Literally 'high pride', this word emphasizes excessive pride and conceit. It is slightly less common than 傲慢 but still widely understood.
An arrogant attitude can cause you to lose friends.
A verb meaning 'to be arrogant' or 'to be conceited', often used in the set phrase 驕る平家は久しからず (the proud Heike do not last long). It implies arrogance due to success or power and carries a literary or proverbial tone.
Don't become arrogant from success.
Focusing on self-importance and vanity, often in a more colloquial or everyday context.
A verb meaning 'to be conceited' or 'to be vain'. It describes someone who has an excessively high opinion of themselves, often used in casual conversation.
He is conceited about his talent.
The noun form of うぬぼれる, meaning 'conceit' or 'vanity'. Often used in phrases like 自惚れが強い (to be very conceited).
An idiomatic phrase literally meaning 'to become a tengu' (a mythical creature with a long nose, symbolizing pride). It means to become conceited or big-headed, often after a success.
Emphasizing the act of treating others as inferior, often through attitude or speech.
A verb meaning 'to look down on' or 'to despise'. It directly conveys the action of treating someone as inferior.
He always looks down on people.
Similar to 見下す, but often implies underestimating someone or not taking them seriously. It can mean 'to look down on' or 'to belittle'.
A stronger verb meaning 'to scorn' or 'to despise'. It conveys deep contempt and is less common in everyday speech.
傲慢 (ごうまん) is the most general and widely used term for arrogance. 横柄 (おうへい) emphasizes a domineering, high-handed attitude, often in speech or behavior. 高慢 (こうまん) focuses more on excessive pride and conceit. In many contexts, 傲慢 and 横柄 are interchangeable, but 横柄 is slightly more about manner, while 傲慢 is about overall attitude.
English phrases like 'be arrogant' are often translated as 傲慢である, but in natural Japanese, it's more common to use 傲慢な態度 (arrogant attitude) or 傲慢な人 (arrogant person) rather than saying 彼は傲慢だ directly, though that is also acceptable. For 'conceited', うぬぼれる is the go-to verb, not a direct translation of 'be conceited'.
Don't be so full of yourself.
彼の自惚れには呆れる。
I'm amazed at his conceit.
He gets a big head as soon as he's praised a little.
Please stop that condescending way of speaking.
相手を見くびると失敗する。
If you underestimate your opponent, you'll fail.
彼は貧しい人々を蔑んでいる。
He scorns poor people.