Translation guide
Describes something that feels artificial, forced, or unnatural, often in a way that is obvious or unconvincing. This can apply to stories, excuses, situations, or behavior.
To describe a story, plot, excuse, or explanation that feels artificial, overly planned, or lacking in natural flow.
The most direct and common word for 'unnatural' or 'artificial.' It can describe anything that doesn't feel natural, including stories, behavior, or situations.
The movie's ending felt contrived.
His excuse sounded contrived.
Means 'obviously intentional' or 'forced,' often with a negative nuance. It implies that the action or expression is so exaggerated that it feels fake.
Her smile seemed contrived.
A more formal or literary term meaning 'artificial' or 'contrived,' often used to describe something that is deliberately manufactured rather than natural.
The story felt contrived.
Literally 'like something stuck on,' this phrase describes an element that feels tacked on or added without integration, making it feel unnatural or contrived.
The happy ending felt contrived, like it was just tacked on.
To describe a plan, situation, or setup that seems too complicated or perfectly arranged to be natural, often implying it was designed to deceive or impress.
Means 'too good to be true' or 'too perfect,' often used when a situation seems suspiciously convenient or contrived.
That coincidence is too contrived.
Also works here, emphasizing the lack of naturalness in a setup.
A colloquial phrase meaning 'a manufactured feel,' often used to criticize something that seems artificially created.
This scenario has a contrived feel to it.
To describe an effort, argument, or interpretation that is stretched beyond what is reasonable or natural.
Refers to a forced interpretation or a strained argument, often used when someone twists facts to fit a narrative.
That's a contrived interpretation.
Means 'there is something unreasonable/forced about it,' often used when a plan or explanation seems stretched or unnatural.
That explanation is contrived.
不自然 is a general term for 'unnatural' and can be used for objects, situations, or behavior. わざとらしい specifically implies that someone is deliberately acting in an exaggerated, insincere way, and is mostly used for human actions or expressions.
His attitude was unnatural (maybe he was hiding something).
His attitude was contrived (he was obviously faking it).
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'contrived.' Avoid trying to translate it directly; instead, choose the option that best matches the specific nuance of artificiality, forcedness, or unnaturalness in context.
The drama's plot development is contrived.
The story is too contrived to be true.
その状況はあまりにも不自然だった。
The situation was far too contrived.
His theory is nothing but a contrived argument.