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.
He is full of himself.
I think that person is a bit full of themselves.
Literally 'has strong conceit.' A slightly more emphatic way to say someone is very full of themselves.
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.
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.
He gets full of himself with just a little praise.
To describe someone who is excessively confident, often in a boastful or annoying way.
Means 'to get carried away' or 'to be cocky.' Very common in casual speech. It implies someone is acting overly confident or taking advantage of a situation.
Don't get full of yourself.
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.
A more emphatic version of 調子に乗る, meaning to push one's luck or get cocky. Often used in negative commands.
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.
He always acts full of himself.
A more formal adjective meaning arrogant or haughty. Often used in written descriptions or formal speech.
I can't stand his full-of-himself attitude.
Means arrogant or proud. A strong word often used in serious criticism.
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.
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.
He's full of himself thinking he's the best.
図に乗るな！
Don't get full of yourself!
He is full of himself and looks down on others.