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.
その映画の結末は不自然だった。
The movie's ending felt contrived.
彼の言い訳は不自然に聞こえた。
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.
彼女の笑顔はわざとらしかった。
Her smile seemed contrived.
そのドラマの展開はわざとらしい。
The drama's plot development is contrived.
A more formal or literary term meaning 'artificial' or 'contrived,' often used to describe something that is deliberately manufactured rather than natural.
そのストーリーは作為的に感じられた。
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.
そのハッピーエンドは取って付けたようだった。
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.
その偶然は出来過ぎだ。
That coincidence is too contrived.
話が出来過ぎている。
The story is too contrived to be true.
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.
このシナリオには作られた感がある。
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.
それはこじつけだ。
That's a contrived interpretation.
彼の理論はこじつけに過ぎない。
His theory is nothing but a contrived argument.
Means 'there is something unreasonable/forced about it,' often used when a plan or explanation seems stretched or unnatural.
その説明には無理がある。
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.
彼の態度は不自然だった。
His attitude was unnatural (maybe he was hiding something).
彼の態度はわざとらしかった。
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.
その状況はあまりにも不自然だった。
The situation was far too contrived.