Translation guide
The English verb 'boast' has two main uses: talking proudly about oneself or one's achievements (often negative), and possessing a desirable feature. Japanese has different expressions for each.
Express that someone speaks with excessive pride about their own accomplishments, possessions, or qualities, often in a way that annoys others.
The most common and neutral way to say 'boast' or 'brag'. Can be used for oneself or others. Often used in the pattern 〜を自慢する.
彼はいつも自分の車を自慢している。
He's always boasting about his car.
成績を自慢するのはやめなさい。
Stop boasting about your grades.
Express that something has a notable or impressive quality, feature, or possession.
自慢する often carries a negative connotation of bragging, while 誇る can be positive (taking pride) or neutral (possessing a feature). Use 自慢する for people boasting, and 誇る for things possessing qualities.
彼は自分の成功を自慢している。
He is bragging about his success. (negative)
彼は自分の成功を誇っている。
He is proud of his success. (positive)
Avoid directly translating 'boast' as 自慢する when talking about inanimate objects in casual speech; it can sound unnatural. Use 誇る or rephrase with 〜が自慢です instead.
To take pride in something, often with a positive nuance. Can be used for boasting but is less negative than 自慢する. Often used in the pattern 〜を誇る.
彼は自分の息子の成功を誇っている。
He boasts of his son's success.
To act boastfully or arrogantly, often implying a bossy attitude. More about behavior than words.
彼は部下に威張っている。
He boasts to his subordinates.
Literally 'to hang on one's nose', meaning to be boastful about something, often in an annoying way. Used for things like wealth, status, or connections.
彼は学歴を鼻にかけている。
He boasts about his academic background.
Used for inanimate subjects to mean 'boast' in the sense of possessing something impressive. Often used in formal or written contexts.
このホテルは素晴らしい景色を誇っている。
This hotel boasts a magnificent view.
その都市は長い歴史を誇る。
The city boasts a long history.
A formal way to say 'possess' or 'have', often used in business or technical contexts to describe features.
この製品は最新の技術を有している。
This product boasts the latest technology.
A pattern meaning 'proud of ~' or 'boasting ~', often used in casual descriptions.
このレストランは新鮮な魚が自慢です。
This restaurant boasts fresh fish.