Translation guide
The English word 'ego' can refer to a person's sense of self-importance, self-esteem, or the psychological concept of the self. In Japanese, different words are used depending on the nuance: pride/self-importance, the psychological self, or a self-centered attitude.
Expressing that someone has an inflated sense of their own importance or is overly proud.
Refers to self-respect or self-esteem. Often used when talking about hurting or boosting someone's ego.
彼の自尊心を傷つけてしまった。
I hurt his ego.
彼女は自尊心が強い。
She has a strong ego.
Loanword from English 'pride'. Commonly used in everyday speech for personal pride or ego.
彼はプライドが高い。
He has a big ego.
プライドを捨てて謝った。
I swallowed my ego and apologized.
Conceit, vanity, being full of oneself. More negative than 自尊心.
彼のうぬぼれには呆れる。
His ego is unbelievable.
Desire for self-display, need to show off. Refers to the ego-driven urge to be noticed.
彼の自己顕示欲は強い。
He has a strong ego and needs to show off.
Referring to the ego as the part of the mind that mediates between the id and superego.
The standard term in psychology for the ego. Also used in everyday language for one's sense of self.
フロイトは自我、超自我、イドを区別した。
Freud distinguished the ego, superego, and id.
Katakana loanword directly from English 'ego'. Used in psychological or spiritual contexts, but less technical than 自我.
エゴを手放すことが大切だ。
It's important to let go of the ego.
Describing behavior that is overly focused on oneself, often at the expense of others.
Abbreviation of 自己中心的 (self-centered). Very common in casual speech to describe someone who only thinks about themselves.
あの人は自己中だね。
That person has a huge ego, always thinking about themselves.
Selfish, egoistic. More formal than 自己中.
自尊心 (self-esteem) is neutral or positive; it's about healthy self-respect. プライド (pride) can be positive or negative depending on context, similar to English 'pride'. うぬぼれ (conceit) is always negative, implying an inflated ego.
自尊心を持つことは大切だ。
It's important to have self-esteem.
彼はプライドが高すぎる。
He has too much pride.
彼のうぬぼれには我慢できない。
I can't stand his conceit.
エゴ is mainly used in psychological, spiritual, or philosophical discussions. For everyday talk about someone's pride or self-importance, use 自尊心 or プライド.
エゴ is mainly used in psychological, spiritual, or philosophical discussions. For everyday talk about someone's pride or self-importance, use 自尊心 or プライド.
I was disappointed by his egoistic behavior.