Translation guide
A boor is a rude, ill-mannered, or insensitive person. Japanese has many words for this, ranging from general rudeness to specific types of boorish behavior. The best choice depends on context and severity.
Describing someone who is generally rude, lacking in manners, or socially inept.
A straightforward and common way to say 'rude person'. It's neutral and widely understood.
彼は本当に失礼な人だ。
He is a really rude person.
A stronger, more formal term for an impolite or insolent person. Often used in serious complaints.
あの無礼者を許せない。
I can't forgive that insolent person.
Literally 'ill-mannered person'. Somewhat old-fashioned and less common in daily speech.
彼は不作法者として知られている。
He is known as an ill-mannered person.
Describing someone who is not just rude but also crude, insensitive, or lacking refinement.
Refers to someone who is boorish, uncouth, or tactless. Often implies a lack of sophistication or sensitivity to social nuances.
彼は野暮な人で、空気が読めない。
He is a boorish person who can't read the room.
Similar to 野暮, meaning someone who is tactless, unrefined, or lacking in aesthetic sense. Often used when someone ruins a nice atmosphere.
彼の冗談は無粋だ。
His jokes are boorish.
Means a coarse, rough, or uncultured person. Emphasizes lack of refinement and sometimes physical rudeness.
彼の態度は粗野だ。
His attitude is boorish.
Describing someone from the countryside who is perceived as unsophisticated or boorish in urban settings.
Literally 'country person'. Can be used derogatorily to imply boorishness or lack of urban sophistication.
彼は田舎者だから、都会のマナーを知らない。
He's a country bumpkin, so he doesn't know city manners.
Literally 'wild person' or 'rustic'. Can imply a boorish, uncivilized person, but also sometimes used positively for a free spirit.
Describing someone who is not only rude but also vulgar or low-class in behavior.
Means a vulgar, crude, or indecent person. Focuses on lack of refinement in speech or behavior.
彼の下品な冗談にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his vulgar jokes.
A more literary term for a vulgar, coarse person. Not commonly used in everyday conversation.
彼の言葉遣いは野卑だ。
His language is boorish.
失礼 (shitsurei) is the most common and general word for rudeness. 無礼 (burei) is stronger and more formal, implying insolence. 不作法 (busahou) is old-fashioned and emphasizes lack of proper manners.
野暮 (yabo) and 無粋 (busui) both mean tactless or boorish, but 野暮 often implies a lack of sophistication, while 無粋 focuses on ruining a refined atmosphere. 粗野 (soya) is more about coarseness and roughness.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'boor'. Using a direct translation like ブーア (buua) will not be understood. Choose a word based on the specific type of rudeness or lack of refinement.
He behaves like a boor.