Translation guide
To act in a self-important, overly serious, or pretentious manner. Japanese often expresses this through specific adjectives, verbs, and set phrases describing attitude or behavior.
Describing someone who behaves as if they are superior to others.
A common adjective meaning 'acting important' or 'pompous'. Used for someone who acts superior.
彼はいつも偉そうに話す。
He always talks in a pompous way.
A more formal adjective meaning 'haughty' or 'pompous'. Often used in written descriptions.
彼の尊大な態度が嫌われた。
His pompous attitude was disliked.
A verb meaning 'to throw one's weight around' or 'to act pompously'. Describes bossy, self-important behavior.
上司の前では威張らないでください。
Don't act pompous in front of the boss.
Means 'arrogant' or 'haughty'. Stronger than 偉そう, implying a deep-seated sense of superiority.
傲慢な態度は人を遠ざける。
A pompous attitude drives people away.
Speaking in a way that sounds artificially grand or self-important.
Describes a pompous way of speaking, as if one's words are too important to say directly.
彼はいつももったいぶった言い方をする。
He always speaks in a pompous manner.
Means 'affected' or 'pretentious' way of speaking. Implies putting on airs.
彼女の気取った話し方にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with her pompous way of speaking.
Acting as if one is on stage, with exaggerated self-importance.
To behave in an exaggerated, pompous manner. Often used for theatrical self-importance.
彼は大げさに振る舞って、みんなをうんざりさせた。
He behaved pompously and annoyed everyone.
To put on airs, to be affected or pretentious. Often used for someone trying to seem sophisticated.
彼は気取ってワインを飲んでいる。
He's drinking wine in a pompous way.
There is no single Japanese word that directly translates 'pompous'. Instead, use the adjectives and phrases above depending on the specific behavior.