Translation guide
Disdain is a feeling of strong dislike or disapproval for someone or something you consider unworthy. In Japanese, expressing disdain involves a range of words and phrases that convey contempt, scorn, or looking down on others. The most common and versatile term is 軽蔑 (keibetsu), but other expressions like 蔑む (sagesumu) and 見下す (mikudasu) are also used. This guide covers the most useful ways to express disdain in Japanese, from direct vocabulary to nuanced phrases.
Expressing a strong feeling that someone or something is worthless or beneath consideration.
The most common and direct noun for 'disdain' or 'contempt'. Can be used with する to mean 'to disdain'.
彼は嘘つきを軽蔑している。
He disdains liars.
彼女の目には軽蔑の色があった。
There was a look of disdain in her eyes.
A verb meaning 'to scorn' or 'to despise'. Slightly more literary than 軽蔑する.
彼は弱い者を蔑むような人ではない。
He is not the kind of person who scorns the weak.
A noun meaning 'scorn' or 'contempt', often used in formal or written contexts. Similar to 軽蔑 but can imply a stronger sense of insult.
彼の言葉は侮蔑に満ちていた。
His words were full of scorn.
A less common noun meaning 'disdain' or 'slight'. Often used in compound words or formal writing.
彼は相手を軽侮する態度を取った。
He took an attitude of disdain toward his opponent.
Expressing disdain through the act of looking down on someone as inferior.
A common verb meaning 'to look down on' or 'to despise'. Implies a sense of superiority.
彼はいつも他人を見下している。
He always looks down on others.
そんな風に人を見下すのはよくない。
It's not good to look down on people like that.
A very common phrase meaning 'to make fun of' or 'to look down on'. Can range from light teasing to genuine disdain depending on context.
Can also mean 'to make a fool of' or 'to ridicule', so context is important.
Showing disdain not just as a feeling but through dismissive actions or speech.
A phrase meaning 'disdainful attitude'. Uses the past tense of 蔑む as an adjective.
彼のさげすんだ態度に腹が立った。
I was angered by his disdainful attitude.
Means 'a disdainful tone of voice'. Useful for describing how someone speaks.
彼は軽蔑した口調で話した。
He spoke in a disdainful tone.
A noun meaning 'contempt' or 'disdain', often used in compounds like 蔑視する (to despise). More formal and less common in everyday speech.
軽蔑 (keibetsu) is a strong, often internal feeling of contempt. 見下す (mikudasu) emphasizes the act of looking down on someone from a position of superiority. 馬鹿にする (baka ni suru) is more casual and can mean anything from teasing to genuine disdain, so it's less intense than the other two. Use 軽蔑 for serious contempt, 見下す for a superior attitude, and 馬鹿にする for everyday put-downs.
English often uses 'disdain' as a verb (e.g., 'She disdains gossip'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use noun+する constructions like 軽蔑する or specific verbs like 見下す. Simply saying 軽蔑する is fine, but using the noun form with 感じる (to feel) or 示す (to show) can be more precise.
彼女は彼を軽蔑の目で見た。
She looked at him with disdain.
彼は努力しない人を軽蔑している。
He disdains people who don't work hard.
彼の臆病さに軽蔑しか感じなかった。
I felt nothing but disdain for his cowardice.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to treat with contempt' or 'to sniff at'. Literally 'to handle with the nose', conveying a dismissive, disdainful attitude.
彼は私の提案を鼻であしらった。
He sniffed at my proposal.
He looks down on me.
He has a tendency to despise the weak.