Translation guide
Expressing rebellion in Japanese ranges from mild defiance to serious social revolt. The most natural ways depend on whether you're describing a person's character, a specific act, or a general attitude.
Describing someone who has a rebellious personality or generally goes against authority or norms.
A common adjective meaning 'rebellious' or 'defiant', used to describe a person's attitude or behavior.
He took a rebellious attitude.
There are many rebellious students.
Stronger than 反抗的, implying rebellion against a system or authority, often with a sense of treason or revolt.
His rebellious ideas were seen as dangerous.
The verb 'to rebel' or 'to defy', used for specific acts of rebellion against parents, teachers, rules, etc.
It's natural for children to rebel against their parents.
Refers to a 'delinquent' or 'punk', often used for teenagers who rebel through minor crimes or anti-social behavior.
He was a delinquent in high school.
A slang term from the 70s-80s for a rebellious youth subculture, similar to 'greaser' or 'punk'. Now dated but still understood.
Back then, being a 'tsuppari' was trendy.
Describing a specific action or event where someone rebels or defies authority.
A noun meaning 'rebellion', 'revolt', or 'treason'. Often used in historical or serious contexts.
Rebellion was severely punished.
A noun meaning 'defiance' or 'resistance', often used in parent-child or student-teacher relationships.
A verb meaning 'to defy' or 'to go against', often used when someone resists a stronger opponent or authority.
Similar to 歯向かう, meaning 'to defy' or 'to oppose', often with a nuance of talking back or resisting verbally.
Referring to a stage in life, especially adolescence, when someone is rebellious.
Expressing a free-spirited, nonconformist attitude, often in a positive or artistic sense.
A positive term for 'rebellious spirit' or 'defiant spirit', often admired in artists, entrepreneurs, or historical figures.
His rebellious spirit is the driving force behind his success.
Loanword from English 'outlaw', used for someone who lives outside conventional society, often with a cool or romanticized image.
反抗 (hankou) is used for everyday defiance, like a child talking back to parents. 反逆 (hangyaku) implies a more serious revolt against a system or ruler, like treason or mutiny.
Avoid directly translating 'be rebellious' as 反抗的である in casual speech; it sounds stiff. Instead, use 反抗的な (adjective) or 反抗する (verb) depending on context.
彼の反抗は親を困らせた。
His defiance troubled his parents.
彼は上司に歯向かった。
He defied his boss.
子供が親に盾突くのはよくない。
It's not good for children to defy their parents.
思春期には反抗的になりやすい。
During adolescence, one tends to become rebellious.
He lives an outlaw lifestyle.