Translation guide
Expressing intense anger in Japanese, from common spoken phrases to formal written terms.
The most common and natural ways to say you are furious or very angry in everyday conversation.
The standard way to say 'I am angry.' While it can mean 'angry,' it is often used for strong anger, especially with intensifiers.
彼はすごく怒っている。
He is really furious.
あの時は本当に怒っていた。
I was truly furious at that time.
Expressions that emphasize internal, simmering fury, often with a nuance of holding it in.
Literally 'intestines boiling over,' a vivid idiom for being seething with rage.
彼の無責任さに腸が煮えくり返る思いだ。
I'm absolutely furious at his irresponsibility.
Expressions for when anger erupts visibly, like blowing up or snapping.
Slang for 'to snap/lose it.' Very common in casual speech.
The English word 'furious' is often translated as 激怒する in dictionaries, but this is quite formal and not used in everyday conversation. In casual settings, 怒っている, 腹が立つ, or むかつく are much more natural.
Both mean 'to be angry/irritated,' but むかつく is stronger and more visceral, often implying disgust. 腹が立つ is more about irritation at a specific action or situation. むかつく is also more casual and can sound childish if overused.
Literally 'stomach stands up,' a very common expression for getting angry or being pissed off. Often used for personal irritation.
彼の態度には腹が立つ。
His attitude makes me furious.
その話を聞いて腹が立った。
I got furious when I heard that story.
Slangy, very common among younger people. Means 'to be disgusted/angry/irritated.' Stronger than 腹が立つ in casual speech.
あいつの顔見るとむかつく。
Just seeing his face makes me furious.
むかつく！なんでそんなこと言うの？
I'm so pissed! Why would you say that?
Formal/literary term for 'to be enraged/furious.' Used in news or writing.
社長はそのミスに激怒した。
The president was furious about the mistake.
An emphatic, somewhat childish or colloquial way to say 'furious,' like 'hopping mad.'
母はカンカンに怒っていた。
My mother was absolutely furious.
A formal, literary idiom meaning 'to be overcome with rage.'
彼の裏切りに怒り心頭に発した。
I was furious at his betrayal.
Formal term for 'indignation' or 'resentful anger,' often used in writing.
その決定に多くの人が憤慨した。
Many people were furious at the decision.
あの人、すぐキレるから怖い。
That person snaps easily, so it's scary.
もう我慢できない！キレそう。
I can't take it anymore! I'm about to lose it.
Literally 'to explode one's anger,' a common phrase for bursting out in rage.
ついに彼は怒りを爆発させた。
Finally he exploded with fury.
To become enraged and lose control, often leading to violent behavior. Stronger and more formal than キレる.
彼は逆上して机を叩いた。
He flew into a rage and hit the desk.