Translation guide
The English word 'dissonance' can refer to a harsh, clashing sound in music, or more broadly to a lack of harmony or agreement between ideas, actions, or feelings. This guide covers both the musical and figurative senses, with a focus on natural Japanese expressions.
A combination of notes that sounds harsh, unstable, or clashing, often used in music theory or description.
A lack of agreement or harmony between ideas, opinions, actions, or feelings; a sense of inconsistency or conflict.
不協和 (fukyōwa) is a more formal, abstract term for disharmony, often used in written analysis. 違和感 (iwakan) is the everyday word for a gut feeling that something is inconsistent or off. Use 違和感 when describing personal impressions; use 不協和 for objective descriptions of conflict or lack of harmony.
彼の態度に違和感を感じた。
I felt a dissonance in his attitude.
チーム内に不協和が生じている。
Dissonance has arisen within the team.
不協和音 (fukyōwaon) specifically means musical dissonance. Using it to describe interpersonal conflict or inconsistency would sound unnatural. Stick to 不協和 or 違和感 for non-musical contexts.
彼の明るい言葉と悲しそうな目の間の違和感が印象的だった。
The dissonance between his cheerful words and sad eyes was striking.
現代クラシック音楽はしばしば不協和音を取り入れている。
Modern classical music often embraces dissonance.
The standard term for musical dissonance. It refers to a chord or interval that sounds tense and unresolved.
この曲は不協和音を効果的に使っている。
This piece uses dissonance effectively.
不協和音が解決されて、美しい和音になった。
The dissonance resolved into a beautiful chord.
The loanword from English, used mainly in music contexts. It's understood but less common than 不協和音.
ジャズではディソナンスがよく使われる。
Dissonance is often used in jazz.
Literally 'harsh-sounding noise'. This is a more general description of unpleasant sound, not a technical term for musical dissonance.
その演奏は耳障りな音でいっぱいだった。
The performance was full of dissonant sounds.
The general term for lack of harmony, used in social, psychological, or abstract contexts. It directly mirrors the figurative sense of 'dissonance'.
彼の言葉と行動の間には不協和がある。
There is a dissonance between his words and actions.
その政策は社会に不協和をもたらした。
The policy brought dissonance to society.
A feeling that something is off, not quite right, or inconsistent. This is the most common way to express a sense of dissonance in everyday situations.
彼の説明に違和感を覚えた。
I felt a sense of dissonance about his explanation.
その新しいデザインには少し違和感がある。
There's a slight dissonance in the new design.
Literally 'mismatch' or 'disagreement'. It emphasizes a lack of alignment between two things, like opinions or data.
両者の意見には不一致が見られる。
There is dissonance between the two opinions.
Contradiction. Use this when the dissonance involves logical inconsistency or self-contradiction.
彼の主張には矛盾がある。
There is a dissonance (contradiction) in his argument.
The psychological term 'cognitive dissonance'. Used in academic or self-help contexts.
認知的不協和を解消するために、人は自分の信念を変えることがある。
To resolve cognitive dissonance, people sometimes change their beliefs.