Translation guide
How to express 'curt' in Japanese, focusing on brusque, short, or blunt speech.
Describing a manner of speaking that is short and unfriendly.
A common na-adjective meaning brusque, blunt, or curt in manner or speech. Often used to describe a person's way of talking.
彼はぶっきらぼうな言い方をした。
He spoke in a curt manner.
ぶっきらぼうに返事をされた。
I got a curt reply.
An i-adjective meaning cold, curt, or unfriendly. Implies a lack of warmth or interest.
Kanji form of そっけない, same meaning. More common in writing.
A na-adjective meaning curt, brusque, or blunt. Often implies a harsh or rough tone.
A na-adjective meaning unsociable, curt, or blunt. Focuses on lack of friendliness.
A response that is very brief, often to the point of rudeness.
Literally 'a one-word reply', used to describe a curt, minimal response.
彼からは一言だけの返事しか来なかった。
I only got a curt, one-word reply from him.
ぶっきらぼう emphasizes a rough, blunt manner of speaking, while そっけない focuses on coldness or lack of warmth. ぶっきらぼう can sometimes be used for a person's inherent character, whereas そっけない often describes a specific interaction.
彼はぶっきらぼうだが、本当は優しい。
He is curt but actually kind.
彼女のそっけない態度に傷ついた。
I was hurt by her curt attitude.
そっけない態度を取られた。
I was treated in a curt manner.
彼女の返事はそっけなかった。
Her reply was curt.
素っ気ない返事が返ってきた。
A curt reply came back.
I was told in a curt tone.
店員が無愛想だった。
The clerk was curt.
A common collocation meaning 'curt reply'.
素っ気ない返事をされて悲しかった。
I was sad to receive such a curt reply.
A verb phrase meaning to cut someone off short, giving a curt response.
彼は会話を短く切った。
He gave a curt end to the conversation.