Translation guide
The English word "behavior" covers a wide range of meanings, from how someone acts in general to specific conduct in a situation. In Japanese, the best translation depends on whether you're talking about manners, actions, natural phenomena, or psychological patterns. This guide helps you choose the right word or phrase for each context.
Describing how a person or animal acts, especially in terms of manners or social norms.
The most common and neutral word for 'behavior' as actions or conduct. It can refer to both good and bad behavior, and is used in everyday conversation as well as formal contexts.
His behavior is always polite.
Refers to behavior in terms of manners, demeanor, or how one carries oneself. It often implies a social setting and can be used for both people and animals. Slightly more formal than 行動.
Specifically refers to one's words and actions together. Often used when evaluating someone's overall conduct, especially in professional or disciplinary contexts.
Often translated as 'attitude,' but can refer to outward behavior or demeanor, especially when it reflects an inner state. It can carry a negative connotation if the behavior is defiant or disrespectful.
Referring to what someone does in a particular instance, often with a focus on the action itself.
Means 'act' or 'deed,' and is used for a specific action or behavior, often with moral or legal implications. It can be neutral, but is common in discussions of right and wrong.
Describing the actions or reactions of animals, insects, or natural phenomena.
Referring to behavior as a psychological concept, including conditioned responses or patterns.
Emphasizing socially acceptable conduct, etiquette, or good behavior.
Specifically refers to manners or etiquette, often used for children or in formal settings. 'Good behavior' is 行儀がいい, 'bad behavior' is 行儀が悪い.
Describing recurring behavior or a person's typical way of acting.
行動 is the most general and neutral term for actions or conduct. 振る舞い focuses on observable demeanor and manners, often in social contexts. 態度 can imply an underlying attitude and is often used when behavior reflects a person's mindset, sometimes with a negative nuance.
In English, 'behavior' can be a grade category in school. In Japanese, this is usually 生活態度 (せいかつたいど) or 行動の評価 (こうどうのひょうか), not just 行動.
Observe the child's behavior.
彼女の振る舞いは上品だ。
Her behavior is elegant.
Be careful of your behavior at the party.
彼の言動には注意が必要だ。
We need to be careful about his behavior (words and actions).
Learn proper behavior as a working adult.
授業中の態度が悪い。
His behavior in class is bad.
His behavior suddenly turned cold.
His behavior constitutes a crime.
I appreciate your kind behavior.
Also works for specific actions, especially when describing a sequence of behaviors or a pattern.
His strange behavior stood out.
Used for animal behavior in scientific or everyday contexts.
Study the behavior of dogs.
We observed the behavior patterns of birds.
Refers to the habitual behavior or instincts of animals, often used in biology.
Learn about the behavior of cats.
Means 'ecology' or 'mode of life,' and can refer to the natural behavior of organisms in their environment.
The behavior of this insect has not yet been clarified.
The standard term in psychology for behavior, as in behaviorism or behavioral therapy.
I'm studying behavioral psychology.
That behavior is the result of conditioning.
Can be used in psychological contexts to describe observable behavior, but less technical than 行動.
Infer the child's psychological state from their behavior.
Sit properly (behave well).
He has bad manners (bad behavior).
Loanword from English 'manners,' used for social etiquette, especially in public or dining situations.
Observe table manners (proper behavior at the table).
Bad behavior in public places.
Refers to traditional etiquette, manners, or ceremonial rules, such as tea ceremony or formal occasions.
Learn the etiquette (proper behavior) of tea ceremony.
Directly translates to 'behavior pattern,' used in both casual and technical contexts.
His behavior patterns are easy to predict.
Means 'tendency' or 'inclination,' and can be used to describe behavioral trends.
Investigate the behavioral tendencies of young people today.