Translation guide
To express a low opinion of someone or something, often in a way that is unfair or disrespectful. Japanese offers many options depending on the degree of directness, formality, and whether the target is a person, their abilities, or an idea.
To say negative things about a person, often behind their back or in a dismissive way.
A common, neutral way to say 'speak ill of' someone. Can be used in various contexts.
彼はいつも上司のことを悪く言う。
He always speaks ill of his boss.
To disparage, run down, or criticize someone or something. Often used for direct criticism.
彼女は私の提案をけなした。
She disparaged my proposal.
To harshly criticize or tear down someone or something. Stronger than けなす.
ネットで有名人をこき下ろす人が多い。
Many people harshly disparage celebrities online.
To slander or speak ill of someone. Somewhat literary or formal.
彼は陰で人をそしるような人間ではない。
He is not the kind of person who disparages others behind their backs.
To regard someone or something as unworthy or beneath consideration.
To look down on, despise, or treat with contempt. Commonly used for attitudes of superiority.
彼は学歴で人を見下す傾向がある。
He tends to disparage people based on their educational background.
To despise or scorn. Stronger and more emotional than 見下す.
彼の卑怯な行為を軽蔑する。
I despise his cowardly actions.
To scorn or disdain. Often used in written or formal contexts.
To make something seem less important, valuable, or impressive than it really is.
To underestimate or undervalue. Often used for abilities, achievements, or worth.
彼の貢献を過小評価してはいけない。
You shouldn't disparage his contributions.
To make light of, belittle, or treat as unimportant. Slightly formal.
彼は自分の健康を軽んじている。
He disparages his own health (by neglecting it).
To belittle, despise, or take lightly. Often implies a mistake in judgment.
To speak humbly or critically about oneself, often as a cultural norm.
In Japanese culture, self-deprecation is common and often expected. Instead of directly translating 'disparage oneself,' use humble expressions or downplay your own abilities.
私なんてまだまだです。
I still have a long way to go (disparaging oneself).
とんでもないです。私の日本語は下手です。
Not at all. My Japanese is poor (self-deprecating).
Literally 'self-torture,' used for self-deprecating humor or comments. Often in the phrase 自虐ネタ (self-deprecating joke).
彼はいつも自虐ネタで笑いを取る。
He always gets laughs with self-deprecating jokes.
English 'disparage' often implies unfair or disrespectful criticism. Some Japanese equivalents like けなす or こき下ろす are quite direct and can sound harsh. In many situations, softer expressions like 悪く言う or 過小評価する are safer.
彼の意見を悪く言うつもりはなかった。
I didn't mean to disparage his opinion.
けなす focuses on verbal criticism or running something down, while 見下す is about an attitude of looking down on someone. You can けなす someone's work without 見下す the person.
作品をけなしたが、作者を見下してはいない。
I criticized the work, but I don't look down on the creator.
彼は他人をさげすむような目で見た。
He looked at others with disparaging eyes.
相手を侮ると痛い目にあう。
If you disparage your opponent, you'll regret it.