Translation guide
Describes someone who is overly self-confident, arrogant, or conceited. Japanese expressions range from direct adjectives to idiomatic phrases, with varying degrees of politeness and formality.
To describe a person who thinks too highly of themselves, often in a negative or critical way.
A common and natural way to say someone is full of themselves. It implies they are conceited or have an inflated self-image.
彼はうぬぼれている。
He is full of himself.
あの人はちょっとうぬぼれていると思う。
I think that person is a bit full of themselves.
To describe someone who is excessively confident, often in a boastful or annoying way.
To describe someone who acts as if they are more important than others, often in a formal or stuffy way.
Means 'acting important' or 'acting like a big shot.' Very common and can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
彼はいつも偉そうにしている。
He always acts full of himself.
うぬぼれている focuses on an inflated self-image (conceit), while 調子に乗っている focuses on behavior (getting carried away or cocky). Use うぬぼれている for someone who genuinely thinks they are great, and 調子に乗っている for someone who is acting overly confident in the moment.
彼はうぬぼれているが、調子には乗っていない。
He is conceited, but he isn't acting cocky.
Do not translate 'full of oneself' literally as 自分でいっぱい. That would mean physically full of oneself and is nonsensical. Use the idiomatic expressions provided.
Literally 'has strong conceit.' A slightly more emphatic way to say someone is very full of themselves.
彼女は自惚れが強いから、あまり友達がいない。
She is so full of herself that she doesn't have many friends.
Means to be conceited or to have an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Slightly more formal than うぬぼれている.
成功してから、彼は思い上がっている。
Since his success, he's been full of himself.
An idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to become a tengu' (a mythical creature with a long nose, symbolizing pride). Used when someone gets a big head after success or praise.
彼はちょっと褒められただけで天狗になっている。
He gets full of himself with just a little praise.
He's been full of himself lately.
Similar to 調子に乗っている, meaning to be smug or self-satisfied. Often used when someone is acting superior.
彼は自分が一番だといい気になっている。
He's full of himself thinking he's the best.
A more emphatic version of 調子に乗る, meaning to push one's luck or get cocky. Often used in negative commands.
図に乗るな！
Don't get full of yourself!
A more formal adjective meaning arrogant or haughty. Often used in written descriptions or formal speech.
彼の尊大な態度には我慢できない。
I can't stand his full-of-himself attitude.
Means arrogant or proud. A strong word often used in serious criticism.
彼は傲慢で、他人を見下している。
He is full of himself and looks down on others.