Translation guide
Ways to express 'foolish talk' in Japanese, from casual to formal, covering nonsense, silly chatter, and absurd remarks.
To dismiss what someone said as meaningless, stupid, or untrue.
A common phrase meaning 'absurd talk' or 'ridiculous story'. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
それは馬鹿げた話だ。
That's foolish talk.
Means 'trivial/worthless talk'. Very common in casual speech to dismiss something as silly or a waste of time.
そんなくだらない話はやめよう。
Let's stop that foolish talk.
Literally 'nonsense' or 'rubbish'. Slightly old-fashioned but still used, often in the phrase 'たわ言を言う'.
たわ言を言うな。
Don't talk nonsense.
Emphasizes the absurdity or stupidity of the talk. Stronger than 馬鹿げた話.
ばかばかしい話で時間を無駄にした。
I wasted time with that foolish talk.
Literary or formal term for 'nonsense' or 'jest'. Rare in everyday conversation.
彼の言うことは戯言に過ぎない。
What he says is nothing but foolish talk.
To describe light, pointless conversation or babbling.
Simple and common way to say 'stupid talk' or 'silly conversation'.
ばかな話で盛り上がった。
We got excited over foolish talk.
Kansai dialect version of ばかな話. Used playfully or in casual settings.
アホな話ばかりしてる。
He's always talking foolish talk.
Means 'innocent/silly talk', often used for light-hearted chatter.
たわいない話で笑い合った。
We laughed together over foolish talk.
To react to a statement that is shockingly stupid or unreasonable.
A common retort meaning 'What foolish thing are you saying?'. Used by men; women might say 何をばかなこと言ってるの.
何をばかなことを言っているんだ。
What foolish talk is that?
Short exclamation: 'That's ridiculous!' or 'Nonsense!'. Very common.
そんなばかな！
That's foolish talk!
Means 'outrageous remark' or 'verbal abuse'. Stronger than just foolish talk; implies offensiveness.
Direct translations like '愚かな話' (orokana hanashi) are grammatically correct but sound unnatural and overly literal. Use the common phrases listed above instead.
Both mean 'foolish/stupid', but アホ is typical in Kansai dialect and can sound softer or more playful. In standard Japanese, ばか is more common.
彼の暴言には呆れた。
I was appalled by his foolish talk.