Translation guide
The English word "ferocious" describes intense fierceness, violence, or extreme intensity. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you're describing an animal, a person's behavior, an attack, or a metaphorical intensity like heat or competition.
Describing something that is savagely fierce, cruel, or violently aggressive, like a wild animal, a brutal person, or a vicious attack.
The most common and direct translation for 'ferocious' when referring to wild animals or brutal people. It implies savage fierceness and cruelty.
その獰猛な犬は通行人に襲いかかった。
The ferocious dog attacked a passerby.
彼は獰猛な表情で相手を睨みつけた。
He glared at his opponent with a ferocious expression.
Emphasizes brutal violence and dangerousness, often used for criminals or extremely aggressive animals. Slightly stronger than 獰猛.
凶暴な熊がキャンプ場に現れた。
A ferocious bear appeared at the campsite.
Means 'fierce' or 'intense' and can be used for attacks, competition, or natural forces. For animals, 獰猛 is more specific.
猛烈な勢いで攻撃してきた。
They attacked with ferocious intensity.
Focuses on cruelty and brutality rather than just fierceness. Used for acts or people that are mercilessly violent.
その残忍な殺人事件は町中を震撼させた。
The ferocious murder shocked the entire town.
Describing something that is not necessarily violent but is extremely strong, harsh, or intense, like ferocious heat, a ferocious debate, or ferocious competition.
The best choice for non-physical intensity. Works for heat, competition, criticism, speed, etc.
今日は猛烈な暑さだ。
It's ferociously hot today.
彼は猛烈な勢いで仕事を片付けた。
He finished the work at a ferocious pace.
A versatile word meaning 'intense', 'violent', or 'fierce'. It can be used for emotions, competition, weather, etc. Less specifically 'ferocious' than 猛烈, but very common.
Means 'severe', 'harsh', or 'relentless'. Often used for criticism, attacks, or conditions that are unsparingly intense.
Describing a very strong desire or eagerness, like a ferocious appetite or a ferocious reader.
Means 'vigorous' or 'abundant'. Commonly used in phrases like 旺盛な食欲 (ferocious appetite) or 旺盛な好奇心 (ferocious curiosity).
彼は旺盛な食欲でステーキを平らげた。
He devoured the steak with a ferocious appetite.
Can also be used for appetite or enthusiasm, but 旺盛 is more natural for fixed phrases like 'appetite'.
獰猛 (dōmō) is the standard word for 'ferocious' animals or people, implying savage cruelty. 凶暴 (kyōbō) is stronger, emphasizing brutal violence and danger, often used in news reports. 猛烈 (mōretsu) is for intense non-physical things like heat, speed, or effort, and is not typically used for animal ferocity.
While 'ferocious' can describe a storm or competition in English, 獰猛 is almost exclusively for living things. Use 猛烈 or 激しい for natural forces or abstract intensity.
その獰猛な犬は大声で吠えた。
The ferocious dog barked loudly.
彼女は猛烈に怒りっぽい。
She has a ferocious temper.
猛烈な暑さで仕事ができなかった。
The ferocious heat made it impossible to work.
It's tough to survive such ferocious competition.
The article was a ferocious criticism of the government.
猛烈な勢いで食べ始めた。
He started eating with ferocious speed.