Translation guide
Describes someone whose feelings, loyalties, or decisions change frequently and unpredictably. Japanese has several colorful expressions, ranging from common idioms to literary terms.
Express that someone is emotionally or mentally changeable, often in a negative or critical way.
Literally 'many feelings/minds'. A common, slightly critical way to say someone is fickle, especially in romantic interests or hobbies.
He's fickle, so he quickly gets obsessed with another girl.
A noun meaning 'fickleness' or 'changeability'. Often used to describe a person's nature.
I'm really troubled by her fickleness.
An adjective meaning 'easily bored' or 'quick to lose interest'. Describes someone who doesn't stick with things.
He has a fickle personality; nothing he does lasts long.
A colloquial noun for someone who is moody and changes their mind based on how they feel at the moment.
That person is fickle, so they sometimes cancel plans suddenly.
A noun meaning 'change of heart'. Often used in serious contexts like broken engagements or betrayals.
The engagement was called off due to the fiancé's change of heart.
Describe someone who switches allegiances or is untrustworthy.
Specifically refer to fickleness in love or romantic relationships.
気が多い implies having many interests or attractions at once, often romantic. 飽きっぽい means getting bored quickly with one thing and moving on. A person can be both, but the nuance differs.
A fickle person tries multiple things at the same time.
A person who gets bored easily quits one thing quickly.
There is no single Japanese word that directly corresponds to 'fickle person'. Using a literal translation like '変わりやすい人' is unnatural. Choose an expression based on the specific nuance you want.
He's a traitor. I thought he was an ally, but he was leaking info to the enemy.
He's a weathercock, so he quickly sides with whoever is stronger.
Literally 'double-sided plaster'. An old-fashioned term for someone who plays both sides, a double-dealer.
That politician is said to be a double-dealer.
彼女の移り気な恋愛には周りも呆れている。
Everyone is exasperated by her fickle love life.